WXV3: Fiji win; Dutch & Samoa tie

Spain and Fiji each began WXV 3 2024 with bonus-point victories in the United Arab Emirates but the moment of the round was arguably saved until last.

Having recovered from going 8-0 down to level the scores in the dying seconds, Samoa were denied a precious victory in the race to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 qualification when Cassie Siataga’s conversion was charged down.

Netherlands full-back Lieve Stallmann rose high into the Dubai night to deflect the Samoa fly-half conversion attempt away from the posts.

Earlier on Saturday, Fijiana ran in six tries to confirm a comfortable 38-3 defeat of Hong Kong China.

Fiji 38-3 Hong Kong China

It took Fijiana less time than Spain to get the first try of their match against Hong Kong China, as Ana Korovata powered over inside two minutes.

When full-back Luisa Tisolo played in winger Kolora Lomani two minutes later it looked as though Fiji were set to rack up a similar score as on Friday.

However, Fung Hoi-ching ate into the Fijian lead with a 15th-minute penalty, to make the score 10-3, and the Pacific Islanders had to wait until the final play of the first half to get their third try.

Number eight Karalaini Naisewa profited from a powerful attacking scrum to control the ball over the line and dot down. Tisolo’s conversion made the half-time score 17-3.

Fiji again had to be patient in the second half and Hong Kong China’s resolve was not broken until the final quarter.

Repeka Adi Tove supplied the all-important fourth try in the 59th minute and there was still time for Sulita Waisega and Naisewa again to go over before full-time.

Netherlands 8-8 Samoa

The Netherlands clearly hadn’t read the script of the two previous matches as the WXV debutants dominated from the first whistle.

And they were rewarded for some expansive play with their first try in only the fourth minute as Linneke Gevers went over.

Second row Inger Jongerius had provided momentum to the move with a powerful carry, but it was the silky skills of Pleuni Kievit that made the score for centre Gevers.

Kievit missed the conversion, but the fly-half soon made up for that with a penalty to stretch the Dutch lead to 8-0.

Samoa offered little in the way of attacking threat in the first half but cut into the Netherlands’ lead in the 26th minute as Siataga struck a penalty through the uprights.

Although the Netherlands’ physical exertions clearly took a toll in the second half, it looked as though Gevers would be the match winner until the closing stages.

Samoa put the Netherlands under huge pressure in the final 10 minutes and the dam finally broke with time in the red as Ana-Lise Sio burrowed over from close range.

With the try scored relatively close to the posts, it looked as though Siataga’s conversion would win it, but Dutch full-back Stallmann had other ideas and managed to charge down the kick to preserve the draw.