WXV 3: Spain Clinch Title in Thrilling Win Over Fiji, Samoa Secures Women’s Rugby World Cup Spot
WXV 3 Updates: After a close 10-8 victory over Fiji, Spain emerged victorious in the WXV 3 competition, securing a spot in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. Samoa, who placed second, secured their place in the global competition, their first since 2014.
Spain defeated Fiji 10-8 in a thrilling match to secure the WXV 3 title and a spot in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in the United Arab Emirates.
Full-back Fijiana Amid wild cheers from the red-clad crowd, Luisa Tisolo attempted a conversion with the last kick to tie the game and give Samoa the victory, but she missed.
Samoa’s consolation prize is a trip to England and their first Women’s Rugby World Cup since 2014. On Friday, they defeated Madagascar 46–15 to guarantee a minimum of second place.
In the meantime, the Netherlands put a strong finish to their first competition, defeating Hong Kong China 33-3 to earn extra points that put them ahead of their rivals and into third place.
Madagascar 15-46 Samoa
Although Madagascar entered the game as the underdog against a Manusina team hoping to secure a trip to England, the African team quickly took the lead.
With fewer than four minutes remaining, Claudia Rasoarimalala scored in the left corner with a superb finish. However, the lead was short-lived as Cassie Siataga converted her own try on the other end after taking advantage of a gap to close range snipe over the line.
In the 19th minute, Machiko Silila F Fepuleai was sent off, making history as the first Samoan to be sent off. Five minutes later, Angelica Uila’s yellow card brought the team down to 13 players.
But Siataga’s penalty extended Manusina’s lead, and before Harmony Vatau’s over put Samoa back up to 15, the advantage grew even further.
After being restored to full strength, Samoa’s third try was scored by the onslaught Joanna Fanene Lolo; however, Madagascar managed to regain the lead immediately after when Tiana Razanamahefa touched down.
However, in the first few plays of the second half, Samoa scored two tries thanks to conversions from Denis Aiolupotea and Sydney Niupulusu.
And following a penalty added by Razanamahefa for Madagascar, Samoa scored twice more through Lolo, who did so in between captain Sui Pauaraisa and Nina Foaese receiving yellow cards, and Karla Wright-Akeli.
Oliviane Andriatsilavina of Madagascar was in the sin bin when the game’s last try was scored.
Hong Kong China 3-33 Netherlands
Before the game ever started, Netherlands knew their hopes of winning the Women’s World Cup in 2025 were lost, but they still managed to round out a bittersweet campaign with a win.
After some Dutch pressure near the line, Linneke Gevers scored the game’s opening try in the tenth minute. Five minutes later, that lead was increased.
After Winger Gaya van Nifterik raced off, things quickly got worse for Hong Kong China when Fion Got was given a yellow card, which was eventually upgraded to a red one.
Hong Regime But just before halftime, China pressed hard and cut their deficit to seven points when Zoe Smith’s penalty went through the uprights.
However, that was the best the Asian side could hope for. Anouk Veerkamp scored a third try after Chan Tsz Ching was sent off, and Lieve Stallmann added two more penalties to increase the Dutch lead.
The Dutch capitalized on Haruka Uematsu’s status as the third player from Hong Kong, China, to be issued a card prior to the end, as Lieve Stallmann scored the fourth attempt that secured bonus points.
Before Gevers added more flair with her second try of the game, the full-back converted to bring her personal score to 13 points.
Spain 10-8 Fiji
After Samoa defeated Madagascar, Fiji was not able to win the championship, but they knew they could support their Pacific rivals.
And full-back Luisa Tisolo of Fijiana duly opened the score at The Sevens Stadium halfway through the first half with a penalty kick.
Spain replied by spending a large portion of the second half camped out in Fijian territory, knowing they needed a win to move above Samoa and end the tournament as champions.
After two disallowed tries, and with Player of the Match Alba Capell in the sin bin for Fijiana, Las Leonas eventually generated a score that mattered.
Although Spain managed to score a point through a conversion from Zahia Perez, the second half was just as much of an arm wrestle as the first.
There was a lot of strain on Spain, who lost the championship match against Ireland last year due to heartbreak in the closing moments, but a late penalty from Perez helped them get closer.
Adita Milinia scored for Fijiana with the clock in red, and Tisolo missed her conversion under duress as all of the Spanish players rushed out to try to bring her down. It turned out to be a crucial kick.
