‘We are on the right path’: Las Leonas refuse to be discouraged by Fijiana defeat

Las Leonas were close to landing an important win over Fijiana in round one of the WXV Global Series Challenger, but in the end the Pacific Island nation side managed a remarkable comeback to earn a 38-32 victory.

Despite the loss, the Spanish players felt they had made several strides since arriving in Hong Kong China, with the new attacking game plan looking promising and lethal.

For captain and veteran lock Lourdes Alameda, the bitterness of the defeat shouldn’t blur the positive signs shown by the reigning champions of the former WXV 3.

“This team simply needs more game time together to continue refining key areas of our performance and sharpening the finer details. We are on the right path, and the new game plan suits us well. I think that is already beginning to show.”

Spain mounted the first comeback of the match, overturning a 12-3 deficit to take a 20-19 lead by half-time as the team clicked into gear at exactly the right moments.

“We managed to accomplish some of the goals we had agreed on for this match, and I think, overall, we put in a good performance. This was our first game since April, so it’s important to add that to the context.”

Even though they ended up conceding a 38-32 loss, Las Leonas had a strong showing in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, winning a second life when players like Anne Fernández de Corres, Claudia Peña and Alba Capell came on.

Capell, who had to deal with an injury since March, finally made a return to the fold almost one year after her last game, making it a special moment for the utility forward.

“For me, it was like my debut, as it was my first time playing in the hooker position. I went in with the mindset that I would be the best available option for the role, no matter what happened. No excuses, no jitters or self-doubt. I just wanted to get in and help my teammates and country.”

Her return to action was met with an everlasting impact as Capell broke free of six tackles, managed to claim two line breaks and one jackal in a performance that served as a statement of intent.

“For some, returning from injury feels like being reborn as a new player, but in my opinion, I am the same player, the same Alba Capell who has the same conviction and self-belief. My teammates kept motivating me, and if I am here, it has also to do with them and their support.”

In her assessment of last Saturday’s match, the Sale Sharks operator offers an honest review of what happened at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground.

“Fiji had been working prior to the competition and was determined to prove that they were one of the best nations in the world. However, I felt that we managed to showcase some of our best traits, like our speed, kicking game, etc,” the talented forward said.

Concerning their first week in Hong Kong, Alameda and Capell share Las Leonas adventures to reach the home of this year’s WXV Global Series Challenger, with the first two days posing quite a challenge.

“Oh, it was quite rough!” echoed Alameda.

“It was more than a 10-hour flight, and we had to stay awake the first day to minimise jet lag so that we could get back to training. But we have been well taken care of; everything is great, from the infrastructure to the people, and the city of Hong Kong has so much to offer!”

Along the same lines, Capell explains how the team survived the threat of falling asleep.

“The first couple of days were tough, as we had to stay awake for most of it. However, the staff devised a few team dynamics that helped us in that first day. It has been a great experience to be here in Hong Kong China, as we have grown as a group.”

Their time in Asia has proved valuable beyond the rugby field, offering experiences that have resonated on a personal level as much as a sporting one, with Capell explaining that impact by revealing a couple of her favourite moments thus far.

“My top two moments up to this point were my first tackle and hearing the anthem, as I felt, ‘Yes, I’m back!’; and the second one was when we met a few local young girls who play rugby and who were looking up to us. We kept telling them, ‘C’mon, keep playing, as I want to face you in the future’. For us, that’s what the game is also about.”

As for the Alameda, who have travelled all over the world as a member of Las Leonas for the last fifteen years, the team-building moments have been among her favourites.

“It’s hard just to pick, as we have been creating new memories since we got here. But the team bus rides have been quite something, with music playing loud and everyone singing together.”