Hong Kong China aim to end WXV Global Series Challenger on a high at home

With the WXV Global Series Challenger sprinting towards its final round, Hong Kong China, are on the verge of not only landing their best run in the competition but also proving themselves incredible hosts.

As the final touches are being made to the arena, the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, the home team is also tweaking the final details ahead of their clash with Samoa as fly-half Lara Schats states.

“Going into the third game, we feel confident. We have definitely grown over these two Test matches,” the talented utility back said.

“We put up a good fight against Fiji. We are getting better, but so is Samoa, so we have to make sure we bring our A-game, even if we have some sore bodies. The fans will enjoy it; I am certain of it.”

No. 8 and legend Pun Wai Yan is happy with the team’s progress but wants more come Saturday, especially to perform at the same level from start to finish.

“Our team proved to be very resilient in the opening two rounds, and we want to show that again next Saturday. We need to push through the performance throughout the whole 80 minutes, as one of our main goals for the game against Samoa.”

Schats has been among the form players of the WXV Global Series Challenger, consistently sparking Hong Kong China’s attack and producing some of the tournament’s finest kicks, highlighted by a perfectly executed 50:22 against Brazil.

However, she believed that it was only possible because of the team’s collective effort.

“I’ve been pretty lucky with how the ball has come off the boot, but to be honest, I have to give all the credit to the team. They give me the enough time to settle my kicking game and go through my process.

“As a whole, our team’s performance has been progressively getting better, and I hope we can take it to a new level next Saturday.”

The growth of Schats and several other players has been one of the most encouraging aspects of Hong Kong China’s campaign. The team now looks capable of matching established sides such as Fiji and Spain, a leap forward that Pun Wai attributes to the squad’s strong bond and positive atmosphere.

“The whole team environment has been very positive. We have several new faces and players on our team who have had a positive impact, like Lara and a few others. They are all very young, ambitious, and hardworking, and that’s great for us in the future.”

As for moments that have made it into both players’ memory lane, Pun Wai picks their dramatic win over Brazil as the main highlight of the campaign thus far.

“Definitely the first game. Our match against Brazil was incredible, with a lot of excitement surrounding it. We had the nerve to keep going in a tight, tense clash. We chased the result, and our effort was rewarded when we scored that winning try. Moment of the Series for me!”

While her last-minute, match-winning try was a memorable highlight, Schats says the moments immediately after the referee blew for full-time are what she cherishes most.

“Being able to play at home in front of our fans and family is just an amazing privilege. After the Brazil game, being surrounded by the young Hong Kong China fans is a memory that will last a long time. We are very grateful for all.”

For Schats, the team’s progress, ambition, achievements, and moments of joy are all driven by a desire to inspire the next generation, whom she believes are crucial to keeping Hong Kong China in the spotlight.

“Hopefully, for the young girls watching us in person, it has shown them they can keep going and that there’s a platform to reach new heights here in Hong Kong, China. So, thank you to all those who have been a part of this WXV Global Series Challenger journey, and I hope we have made an impact for the future.”

As the 2026 WXV Global Series Challenger sundowns, Schats believes the tournament has been a great spotlight for everyone, and she sums it up in three words.

“Fast, dynamic and inclusive! It’s a great environment, with different personalities coming through, and girls and women from all teams. We have all been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to showcase our skills on a world stage. This is a platform to express ourselves, and you can see from the smiles on our faces and the energy from the crowd.”

With Hong Kong China able to take pride in how it organized the tournament, Pun Wai Yan leaves a final message for everyone who followed the competition, especially those who came out to support the teams at the stadium.

“I would like to say thank you to our fans, who have been on our shoulders since the very beginning. They scream so loudly from the stands, and their energy gives us strength to keep going. We are together in this, and we are together for next round’s game against Samoa.”