WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 | Team of the Tournament

After a sensational WXV Global Series Challenger, it’s time to pick the team of the tournament, selecting the fifteen players who made a lasting impact and were standouts throughout the competition.

The champions, the Fijiana, have five players in the 15 – while the Netherlands and Hong Kong China have four and three players’ each.

15. Amalia Argudo (Spain)
One of the few constants for Las Leonas. Amalia Argudo brought her A-game to the WXV Global Series Challenger, piecing together several plays that led Spain into try-scoring glory. When the dust settled, Argudo had landed 26 points, in what was potentially one of her best showings in  the Test match scene.

14. Kika Mulling (Netherlands)
Bagging tries in every fashion, Kika Mulling was a consistent threat for the opposition, granting the Netherlands a brilliant weapon of mass try-scoring. The winger’s blistering pace and speed, combined with agility, turned the Brazilian and Samoan defences inside out as she dismantled both sides with finesse and class.

13. Adi Salote Nailolo (Fiji)
By the end of WXV Global Series Challenger 2026, several opponents may well have carried a reminder of Adi Salote Nailolo’s defensive prowess, as the Fijiana centre relentlessly stamped her authority on matches with bone-rattling tackles. The openside centre looked insatiable in defence, constantly hunting for another dominant tackle that could spark a turnover and potentially pave the way for a Fiji try.

12. Josivini Neihamu (Fiji)
Not a single tackle by Josivini Neihamu failed to achieve its intended effect; the centre recorded five dominant tackles throughout the competition and put out a defensive performance for the ages. Neihamu repeatedly drove opponents backwards, finding ways to shore up Fiji’s defence and provide a secure platform from which to launch counterattacks.

11. Lucia Bolton (Hong Kong China)
Lucia Bolton was one of the hosts’ standout performers, consistently giving opposing defences headaches with her electrifying pace, sharp footwork, and exceptional agility. While Hong Kong China weren’t able to defeat Samoa or Fiji, Bolton acted like a well-polished spear, always ready to land a strike and give an advantage to her side.

10. Varanisese Qoro (Fiji)
It was Varanisese Qoro’s first steps into the Test Match scene, but she looked to have been around for quite a while, as the utility back was one of Fiji’s main performers from the competition’s very start. Well-equipped with an impressive skill set, Qoro darted through the most aggressive defences to help guide her team to a title-winning campaign, banking 35 points in what looks to be the start of something special.

9. Kolora Lomani (Fiji)
Kolora Lomani’s quick-draw ability made the difference for Fiji, with the scrum-half pulling the strings to help her side claim the most desired piece of silverware from WXV Global Series Challenger. Her incredible pace from the ruck made Fiji’s attacking game more agile and threatening, especially in the competition’s final game.

1. Nicky Dix (Netherlands)
The Dutch jackhammer, Nicky Dix, was sensational from the front-row with her scrummaging expertise making Samoa, Brazil and Fiji sweat. The powerful loosehead prop was inexhaustible from the get-go, winning the collision battle and looking completely unbothered when her rivals attempted to bring her down.

2. Tanya Dhar (Hong Kong China)
Few players possessed Tany Dhar’s mastery in steering the driving maul or hitting her lineout targets with precision with the experienced hooker being a reliable asset for Hong Kong China in what concerned the set-piece.

3. Lee Ka Shun (Hong Kong China)
Came always off the bench in the hosts’ campaign, and every single time the experienced prop made sure to make an earth-shattering impact. When Lee Ka Shun took the field, Hong Kong China turned the tide against Brazil, with the prop landing one of the tries that pushed her team toward a remarkable win. The perfect send-off for one of the game’s greatest servants.

4. Easter Savelio (Samoa)
Samoa’s campaign might not have ended the way they intended, but the Brumbies’ Easter Savelio was undoubtedly one of Manusina’s top operators, working extra hours to help her team however she could. Packed with ferocious tackling ability and a hunger to win the gain-line, Savelio didn’t shy away from the spotlight, making a lasting impact against Spain and Hong Kong China.

5. Inger Jongerius (Netherlands)
If you think that Linde van der Velden and Isa Prins are the two most relentless and determined players in the Dutch camp, then you haven’t paid attention to Inger Jongerius. The FC Grenoble Amazones lock acted like a ferocious, unstoppable avalanche, always finding a way to wreak havoc in the opposition lineout, driving maul, and breakdown, which played a key role in the Women’s Oranje wins over Samoa and Brazil.

6. Alfreda Fisher (Fiji)
The Fijiana had plenty of thundering players spreading their ability throughout the WXV Global Series Challenger, but there was no one like Alfreda Fisher, mainly in the collision and physicality front. Her fierce tenacity and winning mentality proved invaluable for Fiji, with the co-captain playing a pivotal role in their successful bid to claim the WXV Global Series Challenger trophy.

7. Marina Fioravanti (Brazil)
The Yaras have come out of the tournament with plenty to show for it, and players like Marina Fioravanti deserve a huge shout. The flanker’s impact at the breakdown and in the tackle kept Brazil in the fight, especially in their clashes against the hosts and the Netherlands. At times, Fioravanti seemed everywhere at once, tackling opponents left and right and springing back to her feet to rejoin the defensive line, all in hopes of giving Brazil its best shot at coming out winners.

8. Linde van der Velden (Netherlands)
There will be a time when the Test match scene will be without Linde van der Velden, as few players match the utility forward’s passion, work rate, and relentless attitude. Van Der Velden kept beating the Dutch drum, put her body on the line time and time again. Two tries and an overall valiant and formidable effort that showcased why the Netherlands deserve the spotlight.