Fijiana completed a remarkable late comeback against Spain, Hong Kong China overturned a 14-point deficit against Brazil, and the Netherlands delivered the opening round’s most emphatic performance.
The opening weekend of the 2026 WXV Global Series Challenger produced history, two dramatic comebacks and a 12-try statement in Hong Kong.
Fijiana scored three tries in the final 10 minutes to defeat Spain for the first time, 38–32. Host nation Hong Kong China recovered from an early 14–0 deficit to beat Brazil 29–24, while the Netherlands overwhelmed Samoa 70–0 behind four tries from winger Kika Mulling.
All three matches were played at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground as six national teams began their Challenger campaigns.
Fijiana completes historic comeback against Spain
Fijiana appeared headed for defeat when Spain moved 32–19 ahead with 10 minutes remaining.
Instead, Fiji produced the defining finish of the opening weekend.
Fijiana had started quickly through tries from Atelini Buna and Josivini Naihamu, but Spain recovered behind the boot of Amalia Argudo and tries from Valentina Pérez and Claudia Cano. Alfreda Fisher also crossed for Fiji before Spain took a 20–19 lead into halftime.
Pérez completed her brace after the break, and Argudo added Spain’s fourth try to create a 13-point advantage.
Fiji then transformed the match.
Ivamere Rokowati Nabura scored after Fijiana recovered the restart, cutting the deficit to six. Adi Salote Nailolo followed before Repeka Adi Tove completed a stunning 19-point closing run.
The 38–32 victory was Fiji’s first over Spain and the most dramatic result of the opening round.
FULL-TIME Spain 32–38 Fiji View Match CentreHong Kong China recovers to defeat Brazil
Hong Kong China gave its home supporters a comeback of their own, defeating Brazil 29–24 after trailing by 14 points.
Brazil’s forward pressure produced an early penalty try before Larissa Alves completed a second attacking move. Fernanda Tenório’s conversion gave As Yaras a 14–0 lead.
Hong Kong China responded through its driving maul, with Tanya Dhar scoring twice before halftime. Brazil regained control through a Thalita Costa interception try and reached the break leading 19–12.
Gisele Gomes then finished a sweeping attack that began near Brazil’s own goal line, extending the advantage to 24–12 in the second half.
But the hosts continued to rely on their forward strength. Lee Ka Shun scored twice from driving mauls, and sustained late pressure eventually produced the penalty try that completed Hong Kong China’s 29–24 victory.
Brazil controlled significant periods of the match but could not protect double-digit leads in either half. Hong Kong China’s persistence ultimately delivered its first WXV Global Series Challenger victory.
FULL-TIME Hong Kong China 29–24 Brazil View Match CentreNetherlands delivers a 12-try statement
There was considerably less suspense in the final match.
The Netherlands scored 12 tries and prevented Samoa from registering a point in a 70–0 victory.
Gwen van der Schoot opened the scoring in the second minute before Kika Mulling crossed four minutes later. Captain Linde van der Velden and Isa Prins also scored before Mulling collected her second try.
Samoa captain Michelle Curry received a yellow card for bringing down a fast-moving maul, and the Netherlands took full advantage. Lieve Stallmann and Van der Schoot added further tries as the Oranje Dames built a 39–0 halftime lead.
Mulling completed her hat-trick in the opening minute of the second half.
Samoa briefly threatened to respond and believed Silila F Felpuleai had scored in the 49th minute, but the try was not awarded. Dutch fullback Isis Yara Touw underwent a bunker review for a high tackle during the same period but was allowed to return.
The Netherlands quickly regained control.
Mariet Luijken collected a loose ball and raced 70 meters to score beneath the posts. Nicky Dix then finished a move from a well-worked lineout before replacement Lisa Boot crossed at the end of a sweeping attack.
Mulling completed the scoring with her fourth try, closing an emphatic Dutch performance in Gareth Gilbert’s final tournament as Netherlands head coach.
By the Numbers
Opening-round matches played in Hong Kong
Teams that recovered from double-digit deficits to win
Unanswered points scored by Fiji during the final 10 minutes
Points Hong Kong China trailed before beginning its comeback
Tries scored by the Netherlands against Samoa
Different try-scorers for the Netherlands
Tries scored by Dutch winger Kika Mulling
Points conceded by the Netherlands
Why the tournament matters
The results in Hong Kong extend beyond the outcome of one three-week tournament.
The WXV Global Series is part of the pathway to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 in Australia. Eight teams will qualify through regional competitions in 2027, while the two highest-ranked teams that have not already qualified will earn places through the World Rugby Women’s Rankings at the end of the 2027 international window.
The final World Cup place will then be decided through the 2028 WXV Global Series Challenger.
The 2026 tournament does not award direct qualification, but every result can affect the rankings that will help determine two World Cup places. The competition also gives Fiji, Hong Kong China, the Netherlands, Samoa, Spain and Brazil regular matches against opponents operating at a similar international level.
For all six nations, the three weekends in Hong Kong represent another step on the road to Australia in 2029. World Rugby’s qualification pathway
What the opening results mean
Fijiana and Hong Kong China showed that neither team can be counted out when forced to chase a match.
Fiji’s pace, physicality and tactical changes helped produce three late tries against Spain. Hong Kong China repeatedly turned to its driving maul before sustained pressure resulted in the match-winning penalty try.
The Netherlands established the early benchmark. Its 70-point victory was the largest margin of the round and included tries from eight different players.
Spain and Brazil both showed they can threaten teams in this competition, but each must respond after surrendering a double-digit advantage. Samoa faces a more immediate challenge after being held scoreless and spending most of its opener under defensive pressure.
What’s next in the WXV Challenger?
The second triple-header will be played at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground on Saturday, September 19:
- Samoa vs. Spain — 12:00 p.m. Hong Kong / midnight ET
- Hong Kong China vs. Fiji — 3:30 p.m. Hong Kong / 3:30 a.m. ET
- Brazil vs. Netherlands — 7:00 p.m. Hong Kong / 7:00 a.m. ET
The tournament concludes with three more matches on Saturday, September 26. All six remaining fixtures can be watched on RugbyPass TV, according to World Rugby. Official Challenger schedule
