‘It is a great responsibility to represent Chile’: Las Manques make history on home soil

Sunday 26 October 2025. The first-ever Test match for Chile’s women’s national team.

Sunday 18 October 2026. The first time Chile hosted a women’s Test match.

In under a year, the Manques – the official nickname of the Chilean women’s national team – have taken their first major steps toward something bigger, facing and defeating their rivals, Peru and Mexico, in those two landmark matches.

In October 2025, the world was still enjoying the success of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, with attendance records broken every week and nations were experiencing unprecedented engagement and growth.

However, for Chile, the World Cup was against Peru, the first stepping stone on a path that would get its second 11 months and 25 days later.

In front of 3,000 roaring, excited supporters, the Manques had the pleasure of singing their country’s national anthem at home for the very first time, encapsulating a memory that will not only live on but will inspire future generations.

At the end of what was a very entertaining and intense 80 minutes, the locals had clinched a 39-10 result, extending their winning streak and sending an even stronger message to their neighbours: we are here and ready to fight for the top.

For the record, Michelle González, Beatriz Arameda, Nahuit Maureira, Francisca Gallardo [twice] and Camila Igor were Chile’s try-scorers while Catalina Villarroel and Carolina Alfaro added nine points from the tee.

Amid a sea of celebrations and strong embraces, Carla Jorquera, captain of the proud Chilean side, marked a day they’ll never forget and, at the same time, that needs to be just another step up the ladder.

“It is a great responsibility to be here and represent Chile. It isn’t only about us or those who will follow next; it is also about those who started this journey several years ago and who worked hard to create this platform.”

After a classy performance, the centre was still at a loss for words over the colourful scenes they found at Centro de Alto Rendimiento Parque Mahuida, with a packed stand waiting for the players to step onto the pitch.

“We started a bit anxious and nervous, as we were playing at home in front of so many familiar faces. It is impossible not to feel overwhelmed by all the support we received. After the game was finished, we felt immense happiness. We were enjoying something that we had waited for and worked for all year.”

Having played their first home match, Chile will now host Colombia in what will be Las Manques’ second and final test match of the year. Jorquera hopes this is only the beginning of the programme and that the women’s national team can keep climbing, not only in results, but also in support and investment.

“What we seek to achieve is a more professional environment. We want to inspire the players in the U10s, U12s, etcetera, to feel that Chilean rugby offers the best possible platform to chase success and a high level of rugby.”

With the win over Mexico, Chile has already made a massive climb in the World Rugby rankings, now ranked 28th and the second-best South American side, just behind Brazil’s Yaras.

While the world’s eyes are locked on the WXV Global Series, the rise of nations like Chile shows that the women’s game is experiencing growth in all regions of the world, with more remarkable and inspiring stories unfolding every second.