WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 | Round 1 talking points

The WXV Global Series Challenger is here, and Fiji, Hong Kong China and the Netherlands were Round 1 winners, setting the tone for the next two weeks.

But how did the Fijiana overcome the Spanish challenge? How did Hong Kong China overcome a 12-point deficit with 12 minutes left on the clock? And what does the Netherlands’ thumping win tell us about them?

Here are the main talking points from the first weekend of WXV Global Series Challenger 2026…

Fijiana firm belief transcends Spanish resilience

Spain and Fiji really have one of the most interesting and exciting rivalries in the women’s game, as fans were greeted with a 70-point salvo in the opening game of WXV Global Series Challenger 2026.

Willie Walker’s Fijiana started with a couple of thrilling tries, but Spain eventually bounced back and went to the break with a one-point lead. Stade Toulousain’s Amalia Argudo was the main driving force behind the Iberian nation, as the full-back punted a marvellous cross-kick to assist Claudia Cano for the winger’s try and also claimed 10 points from the tee.

With Spain extending their lead in the half-an-hour after the break, few believed that the Fijiana had any path towards a comeback, even with Manuqalo Komaitai, Evivi Senikarivi, Adi Salote Nailolo and Repeka Tove coming in from the bench.

However, Spain’s last 10 minutes were far from what head coach Régis Sonnes idealised for the team, as critical defensive mistakes popped up all over, with Fiji successfully making the best of it. With Adi Salote Nailolo acting like a titanium hammer, the Fijiana’s physicality completely stunned Las Leonas, with the score going from 32-19 to 32-38 with 10 minutes left to play.

Fiji’s considerable conditioning drop after the break looked to be, at that point, the game’s breaking point, but the Pacific Isle side flourished back to their best once the replacements stepped into the fray. That could prove to be the decisive factor in the tournament.

Fiji’s bench showed how dramatically a game can change in minutes, with impact substitutes helping swing momentum and ultimately reshape the result.

A game of will… and driving mauls

Brazil and Hong Kong China fans sat on the edge of their seats as the winner wasn’t decided until after the clock went into the red, as the hosts clinched a dramatic 29-24 victory.

So, what made the difference in the end? Two key details: conditioning and discipline. While Brazil seemed to have the upper hand in the opening stages of the first and second halves, their inability to counter Hong Kong China’s driving maul legally paved the way for the home side to bag a precious victory.

At the same time, Brazil’s mastery of individual brilliance was not consistent enough to break the opposition’s resolve. Even with Thalita Costa and Giselle Gomes creating some marvellous sparks, Brazil never looked 100 per cent comfortable in the winner’s seat, which gave the locals a chance to mount a comeback.

An extra important detail that proved crucial to the outcome of the match was the decisive role played by fly-half Lara Schats. Her kicking game was a cut above the rest. She executed several long kicks that consistently thwarted Brazil’s idea of running with the ball with space and time, with the number 10 even pulling off a 50:22 that would lead to a try.

In the final 10 minutes, the Yaras conceded a total of 10 penalties. A high number, especially when faced with a team who wasn’t going to give up, even when things didn’t pan out well.

After an incredible amount of insistence, Hong Kong China’s efforts were rewarded with their fifth driving maul try of the day, breaking Brazil’s hearts when the clock had already run red.

A huge shout-out to Lee Ka Shun, who not only became the most-capped player for her country, but also scored two tries that ultimately pushed her team to WXV Global Series Challenger success at the start of the campaign.

The Oranje machine was all gas no breaks!

The Netherlands has stepped into the WXV Global Series Challenger with all the style and power of the world, having completely overpowered Samoa to clinch a thumping 70-0 result!

Gareth Gilbert’s side were ruthless, unapologetic and voracious from the first second, striking line breaks, crunching tackles, tremendous offloads and stunning tries at every opportunity.

With playmaking duo Esmee Ligtvoet and Jet Metz running the show, the Oranje machine landed twelve tries and five conversions in the opening half. However, for those thinking that it was all about the set-piece and physicality, it wasn’t.

Yes, the Dutch women dominated in the lineout, maul and scrum, but they also looked fearsome in the wider channels, injecting pure octane and speed.

Winger Kika Mulling completed a poker of finishes, with seven of the side’s 12 tries coming from the backline, underlining just how influential the outside backs were in this emphatic victory.

There’s no other way to say it, but the Netherlands made a statement of intent, and for the incoming rivals of Brazil and Spain it should serve as a warning: don’t miss tackles or the orange fireworks will certainly blind you.