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WXV 3: Spain on the verge of World Cup qualification

236 days ago

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 05: Claudia Pena Hidalgo of Spain is tackled during the WXV 3 2024 match between The Netherlands and Spain at The Sevens 2 Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Christopher Pike - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Spain need only two points from their final match in WXV 3 2024 to secure their place at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, having made it two wins from two in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

Las Leonas found it difficult to break down a spirited Netherlands side at The Sevens Stadium and led only 3-0 at half-time, thanks to an Amalia Argudo penalty.

However, three tries in 13 second-half minutes wrapped up a 14th successive victory against the Dutch and put the Spanish on the verge of World Cup qualification.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – One year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup

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‘This Energy Never Stops’ – One year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup

With exactly one year to go until Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 kicks off
in Sunderland, excitement is sweeping across the host nation in anticipation of what
will be the biggest and most accessible celebration of women’s rugby ever.

Hooker Cristina Blanco scored the opening try at the back of a driving maul in Dubai before fellow forwards Lourdes Alameda and Carmen Castellucci crossed the whitewash from close range.

Although they had 20 minutes to find a bonus point-clinching fourth try after Castellucci went over, Spain had to settle for the four-point victory.

That result is enough to keep them top of the WXV 3 standings, on nine points, two points ahead of Samoa who beat Pacific Island rivals Fiji 45-17 earlier on Saturday.

It means Spain will wrap up the title with victory against Fiji next Saturday but they need only avoid defeat or pick up two bonus points in defeat to book a return to the World Cup, having missed out on the last tournament in New Zealand.

Fixture

WXV 3

Netherlands Women

0 - 20

Full-time

Spain Women

All Stats and Data

That is because Fiji have already qualified for the World Cup as Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship winners, and the race for the two tickets up for grabs in WXV 3 is now down to four teams.

Madagascar are out of the running having suffered their second defeat of the tournament on Friday, losing 38-7 to Hong Kong China in Dubai.

With one round to play and fifth-place Netherlands now seven points adrift of Spain, Las Leonas can only be caught by Samoa and Hong Kong China (of those in contention).

Hong Kong China can get to a maximum of 10 points if they beat Netherlands with a bonus point next Saturday meaning Spain will make sure of their progress if they pick up two points against Fiji.

Fixture

WXV 3

Fiji Women

17 - 45

Full-time

Samoa Women

All Stats and Data

Samoa, who end their campaign against Madagascar on Friday, are also in a great position for one of the two tickets to England following their defeat of Fiji.

Manusina led their regional rivals 21-7 at half-time thanks to tries from Linda Fiafia and Ana Mamea and nine points from the boot of Cassie Siataga.

Fijiana full-back Luisa Tisolo scored the first of her two tries early in the second half to threaten a comeback but was shown a yellow card soon after and Samoa took advantage.

Karla Wright-Akeli and France Bloomfield crossed the whitewash while Fiji were down to 14 players, and the latter added a second try before Easter Savelio had the last say in the dying minutes.

Fixture

WXV 3

Madagascar Women

7 - 38

Full-time

Hong Kong Women

All Stats and Data

Meanwhile, Hong Kong China made history on Friday and kept their hopes of World Cup qualification alive with a comfortable 38-7 defeat of Madagascar.

Gabriella Rivers scored Hong Kong China’s first-ever WXV try in the opening quarter and Shanna Forrest and Tanya Dhar followed her over the line before half-time.

Zoe Smith, who ended the match with 13 points, Fion Got and Sabay Lynam all crossed the whitewash in the second half.

Madagascar did have something to cheer in the final quarter as Delphine Raharimalala became the first Malagasy try scorer in WXV but the result was well out of reach by then.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 17 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 17 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 17 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 17 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 17 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 17 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍