Fiji take WXV Challenger title as Hong Kong finish fourth
By ShutterMyth · Photo: @ShutterMyth
HONG KONG, 28 Sep 2026 — Fiji claimed the World Rugby WXV Global Series Challenger title with a 20–17 win over the Netherlands at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, finishing the series unbeaten. Hosts Hong Kong China Rugby finished fourth after a 34–17 loss to Samoa.
Spain versus Brazil was not played after a prolonged heat delay. It was the final match for former captains Chow Mei Nam and Lee Ka Shun, who announced their retirements ahead of kick-off. Lee is HKCR’s most capped women’s fifteens player; Chow, who captained Hong Kong China’s first Rugby World Cup appearance in 2017, scored in the 80th minute.
Samoa led 10–0 inside six minutes. Tanya Dhar scored twice in the first half — her fourth and fifth tries of the Challenger — to keep Hong Kong in touch at 17–12 after Lara Schats converted the second, before Samoa pulled clear. Fiji’s flyhalf Varanisese Qoro landed an 80th-minute penalty to decide the final.
Final standings: Fiji 14 points, Netherlands 10, Spain 7 (awarded two points for the cancellation), Hong Kong 6, Samoa 5, Brazil 3. Cumulative attendance across the first two rounds exceeded 8,000.