PUBLISHED ON 19 SEP 2026
[HONG KONG, 19 September 2026]: Fiji continue to press their claims for the WXV Global Series Challenger title after beating hosts Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) in Round 2, 54-26.
In today’s other matches, the Netherlands outlasted Brazil 17-15 to go two wins from two matches, while Spain got in the victory column with a 61-21 win over Samoa.
Benefiting from one of the best build-ups of all the teams at the WXV Challenger - one that included games in Japan prior to arriving and squad cohesion from playing in the professional Super W competition - Fiji proved too much for Hong Kong China Rugby with a scoring bonanza late in the first half.
HKCR Lead Coach Tumua Ioane’s pre-match additions of powerful players Lucia Bolton and Georgia Cutt on the wings proved effective at slowing Fiji’s dangerous outside back threat for much of the match, but the visitors broke open a tight encounter with four unanswered tries in the dying minutes of the first half.
Fiji looked dangerous from the kick-off, jumping out to a 12=0 lead with two tries in the opening 11 minutes, but Hong Kong China also managed a try from their first real attacking phase after 15 minutes.
Tanya Dhar, try-scoring hero from the opening round win over Brazil, got on the scoreboard for a third time in two matches as Hong Kong capped a sustained period of attack with a textbook driving maul score from the deep lineout. Lauren Knowler’s first of three conversions on the afternoon brought HKCR to within a try at 12-7.
Hong Kong sensationally took the lead after 26 minutes when fullback Sabay Lynam finished a flowing attack out wide for Hong Kong's first score of the tournament from the backs. Knowler’s second conversion put Hong Kong up 14-12.
Varanisese Qoro, player of the match in Fiji’s opening win over Spain, scored her second try of the opening half a minute later to steal the lead and the momentum back for Fiji.
They never looked back from there as they added three more late scores in a ten-minute patch before the break to push their lead to an unassailable 40-14 at halftime. Qoro finished the afternoon with a brace of tries and six conversions to account for 22 of her side’s points.
Fiji added a try to open the second half, as they pushed ahead 47-14 before Knowler crossed over for a well-deserved score in the 56th minute to push Hong Kong to 21 after her own conversion.
Knowler’s score came off of a clever deception as HKCR suckered in the Fiji defence with what looked like a driving maul from the lineout before releasing to Knowler, who had work to do to cut through a few defenders for the score.
The addition of wing Georgia Cutt for her first cap saw HKCR further shore up the defence as Fiji was held to a single try in the final quarter to lead 57-21 inside the final minutes.
Hunting a crucial bonus point for scoring four or more tries, HKCR fought to the last minute with Lucia Bolton collecting the bonus in the 81st minute to improve Hong Kong China’s position on the table, and lift the mood in the camp ahead of round three.
“In terms of the result... disappointing,” said Ioane: “We had a chance there and really put ourselves in a good position, but they're a very good side and when you let them score 26 points in 10 minutes, that changed the game. We were just chasing from there.
“Fiji are very dynamic. They can get their hands free and kick the ball alive, and that's what killed us today. So a bit of work there to do, but yeah, that’s part of the effort. The big goal was to be clear with how we wanted to play Hong Kong rugby. I felt like we displayed that a little bit more today, which was pleasing.”
Iaone praised his side’s fight to the end for the bonus saying, “We speak about being relentless and working hard for each other. The girls worked hard for two months on their conditioning, and we're seeing the fruits of that late in these games, which is cool to see.”
“Lucia had a really good game. She was strong in what she did, and then Georgia Cutt off the bench. Georgia knows what she does, she puts the ball under one arm and looks to carry and I thought she did that really well today. In terms of the way the group has come together and the way they're performing, I think the door is open for us to keep growing once we have all players available,” added Ioane.
The results after two rounds see Fiji atop the table with ten points from two wins, with fellow undefeated side the Netherlands in second on nine points, followed by Spain on 7 and Hong Kong China on 6. on the table. Unlucky Brazil, having lost their two games by a last-minute penalty try and tonight’s two-point gap versus the Netherlands, are on 3 points from bonus, while Samoa are seeking their first win in round three.
“This squad has come so far,” said Hong Kong China Rugby No.8 Grace Hood, who also does duty with the city’s women’s sevens squad.
“We’ve come so far, starting back in training. We're not a full-time program so just to perform like that was outstanding for us. I'm super, super proud of the girls and I think we're super, super proud of each other. We really, really believe in ourselves.”
Hong Kong provides a fitting backdrop for the WXV Global Series Challenger 2026, with the city boasting a proud rugby heritage and a reputation for hosting world-class international rugby events.
The World Rugby WXV Challenger Hong Kong 2026 is proud of being an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital. The “M” Mark awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolising intense, spectacular and signature event in the territory sports calendar.
HKCR Women’s XV for FIJI (WXV Global Series Challenger; 19/09/26)
1. Tammy LAU Nga Wun; 2. Tanya DHAR; 3. Kirstie STEVENSON; 4. Chloe BALTAZAR; 5. Roshini TURNER; 6. Jenna POTGEIETER; 7. Winnie SIU Win Ni; 8. Grace HOOD; 9. Rosie DOWN; 10. Lara SCHATS (co-captain); 11. Lucia BOLTON; 12. Lauren KNOWLER; 13. Abigail CHAN; 14. Ella LYNAM 15. Sabay LYNAM; 16. Iris LAM Tim Yeung; 17. Ng Ki Sum; 18. LEE Ka Shun; 19. CHOW Mei Nam; 20. Isobel LITTLEHAILES; 21. PUN Wai Yan; 22. WAN Tsz Yau; 23. Georgia CUTT*. Management: Selene COOPER (Manager); Tumua IOANE (Lead Coach).
*potential Hong Kong China debut
