Particle.news

Fiji Win WXV Global Series Challenger After Last‑Minute Comeback

The dramatic Hong Kong finale highlights the Challenger tier's role in developing squads ahead of the next WXV rounds.

Overview

  • Fiji clinched the Challenger title in Hong Kong by overturning a late Dutch lead and scoring the decisive try inside the final 60 seconds.
  • The tournament produced 76 tries in total with Fiji and the Netherlands scoring a joint-high 18 each, while Kika Mulling and Tanya Dhar finished as joint top try-scorers on five apiece.
  • The Netherlands conceded just 35 points across three games, marking them as the competition’s strongest defensive side despite finishing second.
  • RugbyPass’s team-of-the-tournament named five Fijiana players, four Dutch players and three Hong Kong China players, reflecting individual standouts who shaped results.
  • Kai Tak drew strong local interest with about 2,500 fans per game and over 8,000 tickets sold, a hosting performance that organisers say boosts the profile of the WXV Challenger pathway and will inform squad selections ahead of the main WXV rounds.