Spain and Samoa book World Cup spots

WRAP: Spain wrapped up the WXV 3 title and World Cup 2025 qualification with a nail-biting 10-8 victory against Fiji in the United Arab Emirates.

Fijian fullback Luisa Tisolo had a conversion to draw the match, and hand Samoa the title, with the final kick but sliced her attempt wide amid raucous celebrations from those in red.

Samoa can console themselves with a ticket to England, and their first Women’s World Cup since 2014, having beaten Madagascar 46-15 on Friday to make sure of at least second place.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands ended their debut tournament on a high, securing a bonus-point 33-3 victory against Hong Kong China that lifted them above their opponents and into third.

Samoa 46-15 Madagascar

Madagascar went into the match as underdogs against a Manusina team looking to book their ticket to England, but it was the African side that took the lead early on.

Claudia Rasoarimalala produced a brilliant finish to score in the left corner with less than four minutes on the clock. But the lead didn’t last long as Cassie Siataga converted her own try at the other end, having capitalised on a gap to snipe over the line from close range.

Machiko Silila F Fepuleai became the first Samoan to go into the sin bin in the 19th minute and they were reduced to 13 players just over 60 seconds later when Angelica Uila was shown a yellow card.

However, Siataga stretched the Manusina lead with a penalty and that advantage increased still further before Samoa were back up to 15 as Harmony Vatau went over.

The rampaging Joanna Fanene Lolo scored Samoa’s third try after they had been restored to a full complement, although Madagascar found a way back into the contest as Tiana Razanamahefa touched down shortly afterwards.

Samoa, though, scored two tries in the opening exchanges of the second half as Denis Aiolupotea and Sydney Niupulusu went over.

And after Razanamahefa added a penalty for Madagascar, Samoa crossed the whitewash twice more, through Lolo – which came in between yellow cards for captain Sui Pauaraisa and Nina Foaese – and Karla Wright-Akeli.

The final try was scored while Madagascar themselves had a player, Oliviane Andriatsilavina, in the sin bin.

Netherlands 33-3 Hong Kong China

Netherlands knew their Women’s RWC 2025 dream was over ahead of kick-off, but they put in a brilliant performance to end a bittersweet campaign on a high.

Linneke Gevers scored the first try of the match in the 10th minute, following a period of Dutch pressure close to the line and five minutes later that advantage was doubled.

Wing Gaya van Nifterik displayed her pace to race away and things got worse for Hong Kong China soon afterwards as Fion Got was shown a yellow card that was later upgraded to red.

Hong Kong China, though, dug in and reduced their deficit to seven points before half-time as Zoe Smith struck a penalty through the uprights.

But that was as good as it got for the Asian side. Lieve Stallmann kicked two penalties to extend the Dutch lead and after Chan Tsz Ching was sent to the sin bin, Anouk Veerkamp went over for a third try.

Haruka Uematsu became the third Hong Kong China player to be shown a card before the end and the Dutch took advantage as Lieve Stallmann scored the bonus point-securing fourth try.

The fullback converted to take her personal tally to 13 points before Gevers added further gloss with her second try of the match.

Fiji 8-10 Spain

Fiji were unable to claim the title following Samoa’s victory over Madagascar, but they knew they could give their Pacific rivals a helping hand.

And Fijiana duly opened the scoring midway through the first half at The Sevens Stadium as fullback Luisa Tisolo slotted a penalty.

Needing a win to climb above Samoa and finish the tournament as champions, Spain responded by camping out in Fijian territory for much of the rest of the half.

Following two disallowed tries, and with Fijiana second row Aviame Veidreyaki in the sin bin, Las Leonas finally produced a score that counted through Player of the Match Alba Capell.

Zahia Perez converted but those were the only points Spain managed while a player up and the second half proved to be as much of an arm wrestle as the first.

The pressure on Spain, who suffered late heartbreak in their title decider against Ireland last year, was palpable but a late Perez penalty helped to edge them closer to the title.

It proved a vital kick as Adita Milinia went over for Fijiana with the clock in the red and Tisolo sliced her conversion wide under pressure as every Spanish player raced out to try and charge her down.