The WXV Global Series Challenger is here, and Fiji, Hong Kong China and The Netherlands were the winners of the first round, setting the tone for the next two weeks.
But how did the Fijian overcome the Spanish challenge? How is Hong Kong China overcome a 12-point deficit with 12 minutes left? And what does the great victory of the Netherlands tell us about them?
These are the main topics of conversation from the first weekend WXV Global Series Challenger 2026…
Fiji’s strong conviction trumps Spain’s resilience
Spain and Fiji truly have one of the most interesting and exciting rivalries in the women’s game, as fans were treated to a 70-point barrage in the opening game of the 2026 WXV Global Series Challenger.
Willie Walker’s Fiji opened with some exciting tries, but Spain eventually came back to go into the break with a one-point lead. Stade Toulouse’s Amalia Argudo was the main driving force for the Iberian nation as the full-back produced a fantastic cross to assist Claudia Cano’s try for the winger and also bagged 10 points from his first hand.
With Spain extending their lead on the half-hour mark after the break, few believed Fiji had any way back, even with Manuqalo Komaitai, Evivi Senikarivi, Adi Salote Nailolo and Repeka Tove coming off the bench.
However, Spain’s final 10 minutes were far from what head coach Regis Sonnes had idealized for the team, as critical defensive errors appeared all over the place, and Fiji capitalized on them successfully. With Adi Salote Nailolo wielding like a titanium hammer, the Fijiana’s physicality was absolutely stunning Lionesseswith the score from 32-19 to 32-38 with 10 minutes left.
Fiji’s significant drop in fitness after the break appeared to be the game’s turning point at the time, but the Pacific Island side were back to their best when the substitutes entered the fray. That could prove to be the deciding factor in the tournament.
Fiji’s bench showed how a game can change dramatically in a matter of minutes, with the kicking substitutions helping to swing and ultimately reshape the score.
A game of will… and driving a sledgehammer
Brazil and Hong Kong Chinese fans were on the edge of their seats as the winner was decided just after the clock had run down as the hosts recorded a dramatic 29-24 victory.
So what made the difference in the end? Two key details: fitness and discipline. While Brazil appeared to have the upper hand in the opening stages of the first and second half, their inability to counter Hong Kong’s Chinese onslaught legally paved the way for the home side to claim a valuable win.
At the same time, Brazil’s mastery of individual brilliance was not consistent enough to break their opponents’ resolve. Even with Thalita Costa and Giselle Gomes creating some wonderful sparks, Brazil never looked 100 per cent comfortable in the winner’s seat, giving the locals a chance to make a comeback.
An additional important detail that proved crucial to the outcome of the match was the decisive role played by fly-half Lara Schats. Her footwork was a cut above the rest. She produced several long kicks that persistently thwarted Brazil’s idea of running the ball with space and time, and the number 10 even made it 50-22 which would have led to a try.
In the last 10 minutes, Yaras received a total of 10 penalties. A big number, especially when facing a team that won’t give up, even when things weren’t going well.
After an incredible amount of insistence, China’s efforts in Hong Kong were rewarded with their fifth driving try of the day, breaking Brazil’s hearts when the clock was already red.
Big kudos to Lee Ka Shun, who not only became the most capped player for her country, but also scored the two tries that ultimately propelled her team to WXV Global Series Challenger success at the start of the campaign.
The Orange the machine was all on gas with no breakdowns!
The Netherlands entered the WXV Global Series Challenger with all the style and power in the world, completely dominating Samoa to score a whopping 70-0!
Gareth Gilbert’s side were relentless, unapologetic and voracious from the first second, striking line breaks, crisp tackles, huge offloads and stunning tries at every opportunity.
With the playmaking duo of Esmee Ligtvoet and Jet Metz running the show, the Oranje machine had twelve tries and five conversions in the first half. However, for those who think it’s all about setting and physicality, it’s not.
Yes, the Dutch women dominated the set-up, maul and scrum, but they also looked formidable in the wider channels, injecting pure octane and speed.
Winger Kika Mulling completed a run of finishes, with seven of the side’s 12 tries from the back line, underlining just how influential the outside backs were in this emphatic victory.
There’s no other way to say it, but the Netherlands have made a statement of intent, and for upcoming rivals Brazil and Spain, it should serve as a warning: don’t miss the matches or you’ll be blinded by the orange fireworks.
