WXV 3, Round One - preview
PREVIEW: There are three nations that will make their entrance onto the WXV stage when WXV 3 kicks off this Friday in Dubai.
Hong Kong China, Madagascar and the Netherlands have qualified to compete in WXV 3 in the United Arab Emirates and are thus in contention for one of the remaining six tickets to World Cup 2025.
Madagascar will be the first of the debutants to experience the third level when they take on Spain at The Sevens Stadium, Dubai on Friday.
On Saturday, Hong Kong China and the Netherlands will get their campaigns underway, against Fiji and Samoa respectively.
Hong Kong China booked their tickets to Dubai, and maintained their hopes of Women’s RWC 2025 qualification, with a flawless 22-0 defeat of Kazakhstan at the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship in June.
Madagascar seen their hopes of qualifying for WXV 3 2023 undone by a narrow defeat to Kenya in the opening round of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2023, however, they put things right in May.
Trailing 5-12 at half-time, the hosts scored three tries after the break to pull level with the Lionesses at 22-22 with time running out at Stade Makis.
Olivia Hanitriniaina – who had started the comeback at the end of the first half – supplied the winning score in the final play of the match, before Tiana Razanamahefa converted to confirm a 29-22 victory.
Madagascar followed that up with a 12-5 defeat of Cameroon in the second round, which meant their qualification for WXV 3 2024 was assured before a 46-17 loss against South Africa.
Welcome to our m̶u̶s̶i̶c̶ ̶v̶i̶d̶e̶o̶ captain’s photoshoot 📸#WXV | #WXV3 pic.twitter.com/eHe4hSKV5l
— WXV (@WXVRugby) September 25, 2024
The Netherlands earned a play-off against Colombia, the team that finished bottom of the WXV 3 2023 standings, by virtue of being the highest nation in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings who did not take part in the inaugural edition.
Despite conceding the opening try in Amsterdam on 16 March, the Dutch recovered to lead 14-8 at half-time thanks to tries from Isa Prins and Lieve Stallman.
Inger Jongerius claimed the hosts’ third try within two minutes of the restart and Gaya van Nifterik and Pleuni Kievit each crossed the whitewash before full-time to confirm a 33-11 victory and book their place in Dubai.
It means the Netherlands remain in contention to claim one of the remaining six tickets to Women’s RWC 2025.
“I find it difficult to put into words how excited I am but also the whole team is,” said Netherlands captain Linde van der Velden.
“It’s been so amazing to win the qualification game, and we’ve prepared so well. We need to put all that hard work into the games now.
“There’s an amazing opportunity to qualify for a World Cup and, let’s be honest, everybody is here to do that.”
Friday, September 27
Spain Women v Madagascar Women
(The Sevens Stadium, Dubai – Kick-off: 19.00; 15.00 GMT, 17.00 Spain time, 17.00 Madagascar time)
Predictions:
@rugby365: Spain by seven points
Referee: Melissa Leboeuf (France)
Assistant Referees: Shanda Assmus (Canada) & Sunny Lee (Hong Kong China)
TMO: Dan Jones (England)
Saturday, September 28
Fiji Women v Hong Kong China Women
(The Sevens Stadium, Dubai – Kick-off: 18.00; 14.00 GMT, 02.00 Sunday, September 29 Fiji time, 22.00 Hong Kong China Time)
Prediction:
@rugby365com: Fiji by seven points
Referee: Tyler Miller (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Holly Wood (England) & Jess Ling (Australia)
TMO: Dan Jones (England)
Netherlands Women v Samoa Women
(The Sevens Stadium, Dubai – Kick-off: 20.30; 16.30 GMT, 18.30 Netherlands time, 03.00 Sunday, September 29 Samao time)
Prediction:
@rugby365com: Samoa by 10 points
Referee: Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Shanda Assmus (Canada) & Sunny Lee (Hong Kong China)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Australia)
Source: World Rugby
