Fijiana face Hong Kong China in a battle of WXV's comeback teams

Fijiana XV and Hong Kong China meet at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground on Saturday with both teams carrying the confidence of dramatic opening-round victories in the WXV Global Series Challenger.

For Fiji, the 38-32 success over Spain? was historic: their first victory against Las Leonas. It was also achieved in extraordinary fashion. Trailing 32-19 with around ten minutes remaining, Fijiana produced three unanswered tries through Ivamere Rokowati Nabura, Adi Salote Nailolo and Repeka Adi Tove. Head coach Willie Walker’s replacements and tactical adjustments proved decisive as Fiji’s direct running and physicality overwhelmed Spain during the closing stages.

Hong Kong China’s route to victory over Brazil was similarly dramatic. The hosts fell 14-0 behind and were still seven points adrift at half-time, but their driving maul gradually transformed the contest. Hooker Tanya Dhar scored twice, while fly-half Lara Schats supplied energy, line-breaks and an important 50:22. Two late tries from experienced prop Lee Ka Shun, followed by a penalty try, completed a 29-24 comeback and delivered Hong Kong China’s first WXV Challenger victory.

That shared resilience makes Saturday’s contest particularly intriguing. Fiji possess the greater individual power and broken-field threat, but Hong Kong have already demonstrated that their maul can become a serious scoring weapon. Their task will be to establish territory without offering Fijiana the loose possession from which Pacific players are traditionally so dangerous.

Walker has selected a side containing several of the players who shaped the Spanish comeback. Vice-captain Alfreda Fisher, a first-half try-scorer in round one, remains central to Fiji’s carrying game. Varanisese Qoro continues at fly-half, with Repeka Tove, Ruth Raketekete, Adi Salote Nailolo, Atelaite Buna and Luisa Tisolo forming an athletic backline.

Buna’s early breakaway try against Spain illustrated Fiji’s threat whenever defensive spacing breaks down. Nailolo and Tove then supplied the decisive late scores, giving Hong Kong’s defence a clear warning about the pace and power available across the field.

Experienced playmaker Kolora Lomani is named among the impact replacements, offering Walker experience and composure later in the match. That bench contribution mattered enormously against Spain and may again be important in Hong Kong’s heat and humidity.

This is also a useful test of discipline. Hong Kong scored repeatedly from close-range pressure against Brazil, while Fiji cannot afford the lapses that allowed Spain to move thirteen points clear during the second half.

Beyond the immediate result, the tournament forms part of both nations’ route towards Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029?. Eight qualifying positions will be decided through regional competitions in 2027, two more through the rankings and the final place at the 2028 Challenger.

Another victory on Saturday would therefore provide more than early tournament momentum. It would strengthen rankings, belief and the growing evidence that both programmes can recover when matches appear to be slipping away.

Hong Kong China v Fiji kicks off at 3.30pm local time on Saturday, 19 September, and will be streamed on RugbyPass TV.