WXV 3: Spain lead the way as Samoa and Hong Kong China win

Samoa and Spain put themselves in pole position for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 qualification following the second round of WXV 3 2024 in the United Arab Emirates.

Manusina were unrecognisable from the side that drew with the Netherlands last weekend as they secured an impressive 45-17 victory against Fiji at The Sevens Stadium on Saturday.

In the final match of the second round, meanwhile, Spain made it two wins from two with a 20-0 defeat of the Dutch.

That victory keeps Las Leonas top of the standings, three points clear of Samoa and five ahead of Hong Kong China and Fiji.

Hong Kong China maintained their own hopes of playing at England 2025 as they beat Madagascar 38-7 on Friday.

Madagascar 7-38 Hong Kong China

Gabriella Rivers created history for Hong Kong China in the 14th minute in Dubai as she went over from close range to score her side’s first-ever try in WXV, with Madagascar down to 14 players.

Zoe Smith, recalled to the side, converted and she would repeat the trick around 15 minutes later after Shanna Forrest had provided a second.

Number eight Forrest came up with the ball following a powerful lineout drive from the Hong Kong China pack.

It got even better for the Asian side on the stroke of half-time as hooker Tanya Dhar piloted another driving maul over the Malagasy line.

Smith missed the conversion but scored the bonus point-securing fourth try 10 minutes into the second half, taking a fine offload from Rivers close to the line to dot down.

Replacement hooker Fion Got was the next player to score from a lineout drive just after the hour mark to give Hong Kong China a 33-0 lead.

Delphine Raharimalala wrote her own name into the record books as she became the first Malagasy player to score in WXV, with less than 13 minutes to go.

But it was Hong Kong China who had the final say as full-back Sabay Lynam applied further gloss to the scoreline in the last play.

Fiji 17-45 Samoa

A brilliant break by scrum-half France Bloomfield created the opening score for Samoa inside three minutes at The Sevens Stadium as Linda Fiafia finished in the right corner.

Cassie Siataga missed the touchline conversion but was successful with a penalty shortly afterwards to stretch her side’s lead to eight points.

Fiji cut their deficit to a single point around 10 minutes later though as number eight Karalaini Naisewa touched down at the base of a powerful attacking scrum.

Luisa Tisolo added the conversion, but Samoa restored their eight-point lead almost immediately as Ana Mamea went over and Siataga added the extras.

Two more successful Siataga penalties stretched the Samoan advantage still further before the break, Manusina heading into half-time 21-7 in front.

Fiji had an Adita Milinia try ruled out for obstruction at the end of the first half but Tisolo reignited their hopes of a revival as she crossed the whitewash early in the second.

The full-back converted to bring her side within seven points again. However, she was shown a yellow card soon after and Samoa took full advantage.

Manusina scored through Karla Wright-Akeli and Bloomfield while they had a player advantage, and the latter then added another with 10 minutes to play.

Tisolo did get her second and Fiji’s third try late on but the result was beyond them by then and Easter Savelio added a sixth Samoan try to round off a comprehensive performance.

Netherlands 0-20 Spain

Spain had never lost to the Netherlands in 13 previous meetings but with Women’s RWC qualification on the line they found the Dutch a much more stubborn prospect in Dubai.

Las Leonas fly-half Armalia Argudo kicked the first points of the match in the 20th minute, however, some stubborn defence and a Clara Piquero knock-on meant that was the way the score remained at the break.

Cristina Blanco did find a way through the Dutch defence seven minutes into the second half, piloting a driving maul that crashed over the try line.

That kick-started a profitable 13 minutes for Spain, who scored further tries through Lourdes Alameda and Carmen Castellucci.

Both scores came from close range but if spectators expected the floodgates to open in the closing quarter, then they were to be disappointed.

Spain were unable to get the try bonus point but will head into their final match with Fiji next weekend in a great position to seal both the WXV 3 title and their place at Women’s RWC 2025.