Fiji Edge Spain, Hong Kong Rally Late in WXV Global Series Opener
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Fiji clinched a pulsating 38-32 win over Spain at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground on Sunday, with captain Alfreda Fisher leading from the front in her side's WXV Global Series Challenger debut. Hong Kong then produced their own late heroics, snatching a 29-24 victory over Brazil courtesy of a last-play penalty try that gave them their first lead of the match. Both results highlighted the competitive intensity of World Rugby's new initiative to broaden the women's game.
Key Points
- Fiji defeated Spain 38-32 at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, with Alfreda Fisher captaining the side
- Hong Kong beat Brazil 29-24, awarded a penalty try in the final play for their first lead of the match
- Lara Schats was Hong Kong's co-captain and player-of-the-match, describing the team as "23 sisters"
- The six-team WXV Global Series Challenger was introduced this year alongside the elite WXV Global Series
- World Rugby aims to "accelerate the growth of the women's game" through the centralised three-week tournament format
- The 2028 edition will offer one ticket to the following year's Rugby World Cup
- Fisher was inspired after watching Fiji shock South Africa at the 2021 Women's World Cup
- Fiji coach Mike Legge praised Fisher's "follow-me mentality" as reason for naming her captain
- Fisher grew up in Togo village where girls playing rugby was discouraged and she played secretly with boys
- Fiji has now dislodged Wales from 12th spot in the world rankings after beating them at last year's World Cup
Why It Matters
The tournament's opening day delivered on its promise of competitive, high-drama matches that could reshape perceptions of women's rugby in emerging nations. For Hong Kong, the comeback victory against Brazil signals growing competitiveness in international women's rugby, while the format offers a realistic pathway to the Rugby World Cup that could inspire greater investment in the sport across the region .
The tournament's opening day delivered on its promise of competitive, high-drama matches that could reshape perceptions of women's rugby in emerging nations. For Hong Kong, the comeback victory against Brazil signals growing competitiveness in international women's rugby, while the format offers a realistic pathway to the Rugby World Cup that could inspire greater investment in the sport across the region .