WXV 3, Round Three - Preview

PREVIEW: As the final round of the WXV 3 in the United Arab Emirates heats up, the team that has one hand on the trophy and one foot in England for the World Cup in 2025, is Spain.

Las Leonas is leading the way as they head into the final round of WXV 3, not only for the title but also as one of the two tickets to the Women’s World Cup 2025 on offer.

The Spanish team, who missed out on the last tournament in New Zealand, only needs two points from their final match in WXV 3 against Fiji after making it two wins from two in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

Samoa looks set to grab the second ticket to England 2025 when they take on Madagascar on Friday. They could leapfrog Spain to the top of the standings.

Hong Kong China and the Netherlands each retain a mathematical chance of qualifying for the World Cup, meaning there is plenty to play for across all three matches this weekend.

Fiji has already qualified for the World Cup as Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship winners.

Madagascar are out of the running after their second defeat of the tournament on Friday, losing 7-38 to Hong Kong China in Dubai.

With one round to play and fifth-place Netherlands now seven points adrift of Spain, Las Leonas can only be caught by Samoa and Hong Kong China (of that order).

Hong Kong China can get to a maximum of 10 points if they beat Netherlands with a bonus point on Saturday meaning Spain will make sure of their progress if they pick up two points against Fiji.

Last weekend Hong Kong China made history and kept their hopes of World Cup qualification alive with a comfortable 38-7 victory over Madagascar.

Samoa’s head coach Ramsey Tomokino made seven changes to his starting line-up for their clash with Madagascar this weekend.

Angelica Uila comes in at tighthead, Sydney Niupulusu comes into the second row and Machiko Silila F Fepuleai starts at flank.

Among the backs, Harmony Vatau and Saelua Leaula will combine in an all-new midfield partnership, and Lutia Col Aumua and Tietie Aiolupotea are the new wings.

Their opponents Madagascar show six changes to their starting line-up for their final assignment in Dubai.

Prop Mamisoa Rasoarimalala and hooker Laurence Rasoanandrasana come into the front row with Nanou Razafializay shifting from the loosehead to tighthead.

Oliviane Andriatsilavina and captain Sarindra Shahondramalala form the second row having started in the back row against Hong Kong China, with Volatiana Rasoanandrasana and Sariaka Nomenjanahary selected at flank and No8 respectively.

Changes in the backline see Joela Mirasoa Fenohasina and Marie Bodonandrianina coming in as the new half-back pairing while Olivia Hanitriniaina and Claudia Rasoarimalala swap wings.

Friday, October 11

Samoa v Madagascar
(The Sevens Stadium, Dubai – Kick-off: 17.00; 13.00 GMT, 16.00 Madagascar time, 02.00 Saturday, October 12 Samoa time)

Teams:

Samoa: 15 Karla Wright-Akeli, 14 Tietie Aiolupotea, 13 Saelua Leaula, 12 Harmony Vatau, 11 Lutia Col Aumua, 10 Cassie Siataga, 9 France Bloomfield, 8 Joanna Fanene Lolo, 7 Sui Pauaraisa (captain), 6 Machiko Silila F Fepuleai, 5 Sydney Niupulusu, 4 Ana-Lise Sio, 3 Angelica Uila, 2 Avau Filimaua, 1 Denise Aiolupotea,
Replacements: 16 Ana Mamea, 17 Ti Tauasosi, 18 Tori Iosefo, 19 Nina Foaese, 20 Moega Wright, 21 Ana Afuie, 22 Davina Lasini, 23 Ruby Finau.

Madagascar: 15 Tiana Razanamahefa, 14 Claudia Rasoarimalala, 13 Veronique Rasoanekena, 12 Valisoa Razanakiniana, 11 Olivia Hanitriniaina, 10 Marie Bodonandrianina, 9 Joela Mirasoa Fenohasina, 8 Sariaka Nomenjanahary, 7 Delphine Raharimalala, 6 Volatiana Rasoanandrasana, 5 Sarindra Sahondramalala (captain), 4 Oliviane Andriatsilavina, 3 Nanou Razafializay, 2 Laurence Rasoanandrasana, 1 Mamisoa Rasoarimalala,
Replacements: 16 Fenosoa Razanakolona, 17 Fenitra Razafindramanga, 18 Fanomezantsoa Raminoarisoa, 19 Felana Rakotoarison, 20 Nofy Nomenjanahary, 21 Voahirana Razafiarisoa, 22 Vacilly Rahariravaka, 23 Zaya Fanantenana.

Referee: Holly Wood (England)
Assistant Referees: Jess Ling (Australia), Sunny Lee (Hong Kong China)
TMO: Maria Hietor (Portugal)

Saturday, 12 October 2024

Netherlands v Hong Kong China
(The Sevens Stadium, Dubai – Kick-off: 16.00; 12.00 GMT, 14.00 Netherland time, 22.00 HKC time)

Teams:

Netherlands: TBC

Hong Kong China: TBC

Referee: Tyler Miller (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Melissa Leboeuf (France), Shanda Assmus (Canada)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Australia)

Fiji vs Spain
(The Sevens Stadium, Dubai – Kick-off: 16.00; 14.30 GMT, 02.30 Sunday, October 13, 14.00 Spain time)

Fiji: TBC

Spain: TBC

Referee: Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Jess Ling (Australia), Sunny Lee (Hong Kong China)
TMO: Dan Jones (England)