Go Fiji -Three winners, three statements as WXV Challenger bursts into life in Hong Kong

Fiji produced a remarkable late fightback, hosts Hong Kong China overturned a 14-point deficit and the Netherlands delivered the most emphatic performance of the opening weekend.

The opening round of the inaugural WXV Global Series Challenger offered an immediate reminder of the growing depth and variety within women’s international rugby. There was a historic victory for Fiji, a dramatic home success for Hong Kong China and a formidable statement from the Netherlands as all six participating nations began their campaigns at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground.

The most compelling contest came between Spain and Fiji, with Fijiana recovering from 32-19 down during the closing stages to secure their first victory over Las Leonas.

Fiji had made the faster start through tries from Atelini Buna and Josivini Naihamu, but Spain gradually took control. Valentina Pérez crossed twice, Claudia Cano finished following an intelligent cross-field kick and the influential Amalia Argudo added a try of her own and that appeared to have put Spain in command, but Fiji’s power, athleticism and ability to create something from unstructured possession changed the match.

Ivamere Rokowati Nabura reduced the deficit before tries from Adi Salote Nailolo and Repeka Adi Tove completed a remarkable turnaround. Three Fiji scores in the final 10 minutes transformed a likely defeat into a 38-32 victory. It was both a significant result and another indication of Fiji’s potential within the women’s game. The foundations supplied by the Fijian Drua and the country’s established sevens pathway are beginning to provide greater experience and depth at Test level.

Spain, meanwhile, will be frustrated to have allowed a 13-point advantage to disappear. However, their attacking ambition and the contribution of Argudo demonstrated why Las Leonas remain one of the most important emerging European sides.

The second match produced another comeback as Hong Kong China recovered from 14-0 down to defeat Brazil 29-24. Brazil’s forwards initially caused considerable problems, earning an early penalty try before Larissa Alves completed an excellent attacking movement. Hooker Tanya Dhar responded with two tries from driving mauls as the hosts worked their way back into the contest. Brazil nevertheless led 19-12 at half-time and extended their advantage through a memorable length-of-the-field score finished by Gisele Gomes.

Hong Kong China stayed composed. Prop Lee Ka Shun scored twice during an increasingly dominant final quarter before sustained pressure resulted in the decisive penalty try. For a side playing its first home Test since 2024, the victory carried additional significance. It gave the home crowd an opportunity to connect with the team and demonstrated the value of staging an international tournament in an emerging rugby market.

The Netherlands provided the weekend’s most decisive performance, scoring 12 tries in a 70-0 victory over Samoa.

Winger Kika Mulling crossed four times, while Gwen van der Schoot scored twice. Captain Linde van der Velden and flanker Isa Prins were also among the scorers as the Dutch established a 39-0 half-time lead; and there was no reduction in intensity after the interval. Mariet Luijken’s 70-metre breakaway try was a particular highlight, but perhaps the most impressive aspect was the Netherlands’ ability to combine structured forward play with pace and width.

Samoa had occasional periods of possession and territory, but the Dutch defence prevented them from registering a score. For the Pacific Islanders, the scale of the defeat illustrates both the challenge they face and the importance of receiving more regular exposure at this level.

The Challenger is more than a three-week tournament. It gives developing nations meaningful Test rugby against opponents from different regions while helping them prepare for the qualification journey towards the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Round Two on September 19 will see Samoa face Spain, Hong Kong China meet Fiji and Brazil take on the Netherlands.

The opening weekend has already created three intriguing questions: Can Fiji reproduce their devastating final-quarter rugby? Can Hong Kong China build on a landmark home victory? And, after the competition’s most complete performance, can anyone stop the Netherlands?

Match details verified through World Rugby’s official opening-round report?.