Spain set the tone for the second weekend of the WXV Global Series Challenger presented by Mitsubishi Electric with an impressive all-round performance that proved too much for a resolute Samoa.
Samoa 21 - 61 Spain
After a disheartening loss at the hands of Fijiana, Spain returned to form with a 61-21 win over Samoa. The Spanish didn't have to wait long to clinch their first try, as winger Claudia Pérez found her way over after a well-rehearsed lineout move with the match just three minutes old. Subsequently, Ana Afuie was sent to the sin bin for an illegal challenge.
Samoa showcased an improved defence from last week, keeping Las Leonas at bay almost quarter of an hour before Claudia Peña found a way through. The Harlequins' centre opted to cross-kick a penalty to Ana Cortés Ekobo, with the winger gathering the ball and falling just a few centimetres from the whitewash, leaving Valentina Pérez to score. Peña claimed the conversion to extend the lead to 12-0.
Manusina enjoyed their best minutes of the campaign and came close to their first try, but Fai Auimatagi's effort was scrubbed out due to a knock-on. Spain regained momentum and added two more finishes from Anne de Cortés and Alba Capell, using their offloading and fluid play to outpace the opposition.
Just before the break, the European side scored again when Alba Capell bounced a tackler and offloaded to Victoria Rosell for the second-row's five-pointer. With Peña adding her fourth conversion, Spain headed to the second half leading 33-0.
Immediately after the break, Samoa belatedly got their attack going. After a strong sequence, Brumbies second-row Easter Savelio crossed to score her side's first try of the 2026 Global Series Challenger.
Stung into action, Spain raised the bar and, through a series of stunning-looking line breaks, scored two more tries courtesy of Pérez and Ana Cortés Ekobo.
Savelio bagged another in the 52nd minute, and eight minutes later, Amalia Argudo scored immediately after coming on from the bench. Drenna Falaniko side-stepped a handful of tacklers before grounding the ball, putting Samoa in position to earn a bonus point. However, Manusina went down to 14 players after a yellow card shown to Machiko Silila Fepuleai. Spain capitalised on it by scoring their ninth try to seal their biggest win ever over Samoa.
With Anne de Corrés calling the shots, Spain looked far more threatening, and will go into next week's game in high spirits. As for Samoa, the three tries scored and determined defensive play - despite the final score - should inspire them to show they have what it takes when they face Hong Kong China on the third and final weekend.
Fiji xx - xx Hong Kong China
Match report to follow
Brazil xx - xx The Netherlands
Match report to follow
