WXV 3: Spain impress as Samoa and China claim victories
WRAP: Samoa and Spain are in the driver seat for Women’s World Cup 2025 qualification following Round Two of WXV 3 2024 in the United Arab Emirates.
Manusina were unrecognisable from the side that had a stalemate with the Netherlands last weekend as they secured an impressive 45-17 victory over Fiji at The Sevens Stadium on Saturday.
In the final clash of Round Two – Spain made it two wins in as many matches with a 20-0 victory over Netherlands.
That victory keeps Las Leonas on top of the standings, three points clear of Samoa and five clear of Hong Kong China and Fiji.
Hong Kong China kept their hopes of England 2025 alive with a 38-7 win over Madagascar on Friday.
Madagascar 7-38 Hong Kong China
Gabriella Rivers created history for Hong Kong China in the 14th minute when she went over from close range to score her side’s first-ever try in WXV as Madagascar was down to 14 players.
Zoe Smith who was recalled to the side converted the score and slot another conversation attempt 15 minutes later when Shanna Forrest went over for her side’s second try.
No.8 Forrest scored a maul try for Hong Kong China and Tanya Dhar added another one on the stroke of half-time.
Smith missed the conversion but secured the bonus-point 10 minutes into the second-half after collecting an offload from Rivers close to the line to dot down.
Replacement hooker Fion Got was the next player to score from a lineout drive after the 60 minute mark to give the Asian side a 33-0 buffer.
Delphine Raharimalala also created some history for Madagascar as she became the first to score in WXV for her country with less than 13 minutes of play left.
Hong Kong China had the final say as fullback Sabay Lynam put the icing on a dominant display from her side.
Fiji 17-45 Samoa
Samoa scrumhalf France Bloomfield created the opening score for her side inside the first three minutes following a brilliant break to set Linda Fiafia up for the try.
Cassie Siataga missed the conversion from out wide, but slotted a penalty attempt shortly afterwards to extend her side’s lead to eight points.
Fiji made it a one point game 10 minutes later when No.8 Karalaini Naisewa dotted down at the base of a dominant attacking scrum.
Luisa Tisolo slotted the conversion but Samoa hit back almost immediately to restore their eight point lead when Ana Mamea dotted down with Siataga adding the extras.
Siataga slotted two more penalty attempts to stretch her side’s lead to 21-7 heading into the break.
Fiji had a disallowed try by Adita Milinia following obstruction at the end of the first-half, but Tisolo reignited Fiji’s chances of a revival as she crossed the whitewashed in the second-half.
The fullback converted the try to get back within seven points but soon after got shown a yellow card of which Samoa took full advantage.
Samoa scored tries through Karla Wright-Akeli and Bloomfield with the player advantage – with Bloomfield grabbing a brace with 10 minutes left to play.
Tisolo got her brace and Fiji’s third score late in the match but the result was beyond them at that stage, with Easter Savelio adding a sixth try for Samoa to cap off an impressive performance.
Netherlands 0-20 Spain
Spain came into the match undefeated to Netherlands in 13 attempts, but with Womens World Cup qualification on the line they found the Dutch a much tougher prospect in Dubai.
Las Leonas flyhalf Armalia Argudo opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a penalty attempt, however, some strong defence and a Clara Puquero knock-on meant that the score remained like that until the break.
Cristina Blanco finally broke the Dutch defence seven minutes into the second-half as she dotted down following a driving maul.
Spain then went on to score tries through Lourdes Alameda and Carmen Castellucci.
Both scores came from close range, but Netherlands denied Spain a bonus-point score through determined defensive efforts.
Spain will face Fiji next weekend in prime position to seal both the WXV 3 title and book their spot at the 2025 Womens World Cup.
