WXV 3 Team Guide – Kazakhstan Nomads Challenging For The Title In Dubai

WXV 3 gets underway in Dubai in October 2023 and includes Kenya, Fiji, Spain, Ireland, Colombia, and Kazakhstan representing Asia, and all six teams naming their 30-player squads.

Feature Photo – Dubai: Sereima Leweniqila of Fiji, Cristina Blanco of Spain, Aoife Doyle of Ireland, Karina Sazonrova of Kazakhstan, Enid Ouma of Kenya and Camila Lopera of Colombia pose for photos during Captains’ Photocall ahead of the WXV 3 rugby tournament on October 10, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Martin Dokoupil – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

WXV 3 is played in Dubai from 13-28 October at The Sevens Stadium with the six national teams ranked as high as #11 (Ireland) and Colombia at #25 – so will Kazakhstan ranked third highest of the six sides at #18th be able to lift the title in Dubai?

Sally Horrox, World Rugby Chief of Women’s Rugby said that WXV “allows unions in their regions a route through to the top, a route through to qualification for a World Cup.” The WXV provides a “competitive springboard towards the expanded 16-team Rugby World Cup in 2025 in England” added World Rugby – they estimate that the women’s game accounts for 20 per cent of fans and they hope the game will grow by 2033 to reach 286 million fans.

Horox specified that WXV “gives those players more competition and experience as there are not enough competition opportunities globally for our amazing women to play.”

Current World Rugby Rankings:

• Ireland #11
• Spain #13
• Kazakhstan #18
• Fiji #19
• Kenya #23
• Colombia #25

Kazakhstan – WXV 3 2023 Squad

Kazakstan forward Karina Sazontova will captain Kazakhstan at WXV 3 in Dubai in 2023, while the pack also includes prop Yelena Yurova, who scored twice in the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship 2023 win over Hong Kong China.

Karina Sazontova is the WXV 3 2023 Kazakhstan captain, saying from Dubai, “This is a big step in us being able to bring Kazakhstan women’s rugby back to the world rugby scene. Preparation has been pretty long and hard but we’re really excited to be here.

We’ve been away from international rugby for a while and we’re now back with a new team, new girls and a giant fire in our eyes to play and bring our rugby back to the highest level. This is a really big moment for us and we want to make the game as successful in our country as it was for our ancestors, for my first coach and everyone else involved with Kazakhstan Rugby.”

Forwards: Karina Sazontova (captain), Darya Simakova, Natalya Kamendrovskaya, Symbat Zhamankulova, Yelena Yurova, Karina Tankisheva, Irina Balabina, Moldir Askhat, Balzhan Akhbayeva, Kuralay Turalykova, Yuliya Oleinikova, Anna Chebotar, Ivanova Lyudmila, Dadajanova Tatyana, Xeniya Chertova, Svetlana Malezhina.

Backs: Rigina Bainazarova, Daiana Kazibekova, Daria Kuznetsova, Kundyzay Baktybayeva, Liliya Kibisheva, Darya Tkachyova, Eva Bekker, Tatyana Kruchinkina, Milana Kotova, Anastassiya Yevdokimova, Milana Alayeva, Alyona Melnikova, Kamila Alseitova, Gulim Bakytpek.

Kenya WXV 3 Squad

Kenya Lionesses Head Coach Pau Murunga has named flanker Enid Ouma as captain in Dubai.

Enid Ouma is the Kenyan captain and she said of the WXV “We’re looking forward to the tournament, we’re confident about the team and we’re confident that we’re going to do well. We’re looking forward to the exposure, for the enjoyment and to learn as well.

“It’s a big thing for us to be in this competition and play at this level. We’re open to it, we’re open to seeing what is going to happen and how we’re going to perform here. There are a lot of women looking to play rugby in Kenya now and that is a very positive thing. We’re very proud to be playing in this tournament.”

Squad: Rose Otieno, Knight Otwoma, Natasha Emali, Helsa Khisa, Faith Livoi, Enid Ouma (captain), Diana Kemunto, Naomi Jelagat, Winnie Owino, Ann Goretti, Angel Charity Juma, Laureen Akoth, Priscah Nyerere, Freshia Awino, Diana Omoso, Naomi Muhanji, Evelyn Kalamera, Mercy Migingo, Stacy Atieno, Michelle Akinyi, Edith Nariaka, Jiveti Daisy Osore, Lewin Amazimbi, Valentine Otieno, Maureen Chebet, Grace Okulu, Judith Okumu, Phoebe Akinyi, Terry Ayesa, Sharon Auma.

Fijiana WXV 3 Squad

Fijiana 15s head coach Inoke Male has included five uncapped players in the squad that will compete in Dubai in  WXV 3 2023; Penina Turova, Mary Kanace, Iva Sauira, Una Lalabalavu and Loraini Senivutu could make their test debuts.

The squad is captained by Bitila Tawake and Male said of the squad: “We have a cohesive and determined group, and our primary focus is to make a significant impact in Dubai.”

Fiji captain, Sereima Leweniqila added “We’re really excited to go up against other countries in the world that we don’t usually get the chance to play against. There’s a few teams that are higher than us in the rankings, too, so it will be a good hit out for us.”

We had a few test matches in the region before this tournament so we got to work on a few things and preparation has been good. The girls are now really looking forward to our first match against Colombia. We’re well prepared and ready to go.”

The Fiji team lost a two-test series in Japan as part of their preparations for WXV 2023.

Squad: Bitila Tawake (captain), Salanieta Nabuli, Loraini Senivutu, Tiana Robanakadavu, Penina Turova, Merevesi Ofakimalino, Unaisi Lalabalavu, Ana Korovata, Doreen Narokete, Nunia Daunimoala, Sulita Waisega, Karalaini Naisewa, Sereima Leweniqila, Mereoni Nakesa, Teresia Tinanivalu, Evivi Senikarivi, Salanieta Kinita, Vani Arei, Wainikiti Vosadrau, Adita Milinia, Adi Fulori Rotagavira, Merewai Cumu, Rusila Nagasau, Setaita Railumu, Jennifer Goodsir Ravutia, Merewairita Neivosa, Atelaite Buna, Luisa Tisolo, Mary Kanace, Iva Sauira.

WXV 3 2023 – Spanish Squad

Spanish Women’s Head Coach Juan González named three uncapped players in his WXV 3 squad; Tecla Masoko, Mireia de Andrés and Beatriz Rivera.

Spanish WXV 3 2023 captain, Cristina Blanco, added, “We’re very excited to finally start WXV3 with our game against Kenya, who we’re particularly excited about playing as we’ve never played them before. We know that they are going to be a tough team to face in terms of their speed and blind breaks so we’ve been preparing for that and training our defence to match them. We know it’s going to be a very physical game, too.”

Forwards: María del Castillo, Inés Antolínez, Marta Estellés, Cristina Blanco, Marieta Román, Sidorella Bracic, Laura Delgao, Mireia de Andrés, Anna Puig, Leyre Bianchi, Lourdes Alameda, Carmen Castellucci, Alba Capell, Nerea García, María Calvo, Vico Gorrochategui, Beatriz Rivera.

Backs: Julia Castro, Bingbing Vergara, Maider Aresti, Inés Bueso-Inchausti, Zahia Pérez, Alba Vinuesa, Icíar Pozo, Amalia Argudo, Clara Piquero, Claudia Pérez, Tecla Masoko, Claudia Peña, Jimena Blanco Hortiguera.

Ireland WXV 2023 Squad

The Ireland WXV 3 2023 squad contains seven uncapped players, with Head Coach Scott Bemand including; Clara Barrett, Ruth Campbell, Megan Collis, Eimear Corri, Sarah Delaney, Katie Whelan and Fiona Tuite.

Bemand said: “Since joining the programme a month ago, there has been a significant amount of work gone into enabling this group of players to perform on the world stage. The playing group has been brilliant, embracing a new culture and training identity that will lay the foundations for future success. We know what we’re going after and I’m excited to see them bring it to life in WXV.”

Irish captain, Aoife Doyle, added of the tournament, “We’re feeling really good, we’ve had a great couple of weeks at home to get set for the heat over here, we arrived on Friday evening and already had two pitch sessions so we’re feeling good and ready.

The team are feeling really confident, [the new coaching team] is so fresh and so new, but it’s also really positive and there’s a really good vibe and feeling about the squad and we’re all just feeling energised and ready to go now.”

Forwards: Aoife Wafer, Brittany Hogan, Christy Haney, Dorothy Wall, Edel McMahon, Eimear Corri, Fiona Tuite, Grace Moore, Linda Djougang, Maeve Óg O’Leary, Megan Collis, Neve Jones, Niamh O’Dowd, Ruth Campbell, Sadhbh McGrath, Sam Monaghan, Sarah Delaney.

Backs: Aoibheann Reilly, Aoife Dalton, Aoife Doyle, Béibhinn Parsons, Clara Barrett, Dannah O’Brien, Eve Higgins, Katie Whelan, Leah Tarpey, Méabh Deely, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Nicole Fowley, Natasja Behan.

Image Credit: IRFU

Colombia WXV 3 2023 Squad

Colombia Women’s side Tucanes Head Coach Martínez said: “Participation in this tournament is important, thinking in the short and long-term about being a South American power in women’s 15s. It is also very important for our path to qualifying for Rugby World Cup 2025.”

Colombia captain, Camila Lopera, added of the feeling of being in Dubai at WXV, “I’m very happy and excited to be here, to represent my country. It’s a great honour for us to participate in this tournament and at this level. I think we are writing new history for Colombian rugby here.

I don’t want this to be the first and last time that we are on this stage. I want to make sure that we play well and that we return to these kind of tournaments more and more in the future.”

The Colombians played Hong Kong China in a warmup test match in Dubai on October 7th 2023 and lost the fixture 28-31.

Lopera said of the preparation, “All of our team have prepared thoroughly for this tournament. We’ve been working hard both physically and also technically to get ready for this tournament. We played a number of games internally in the build-up to practice and get more minutes in our bodies before the tournament.”

Squad: Camila Cardona, Carolina Naranjo, Daniela Roman, Tatiana Delgado, Gisel Gómez, Leidy Garcia, María Cortes, Natalia Caycedo, Velentina Yepes, Angie Manyoma, Tatiana Hernandez, Paola Delgado, Sara Vélez, Silvia Olave, Sofía Granados, Camila Lopera, Isabel Ramirez, Juliana Soto, Laura Gutierrez, Maribel Mestra, Melisa Rios, Stefanía Sarmiento, Valentina Álvarez, Valeria Cuartas, Ángela Alzate, Luisa Zurique, María Arzuaga, Andrea Ramirez, Natalia Barajas, Alejandra Villota.

How To Watch WXV 2023

Matches in all three divisions – WXV 1, WXV 2 and WXV 3 – will be broadcast on RugbyPass TV offering free streaming of any matches outside of the relevant territories.

In parts of Asia, South-East Asian network BEIN has blanket coverage of all three divisions.

• East Asia – BeIN Sport
• Fiji and Pacific Islands – Fiji TV (Includes the Pacific Islands)
• Italy – Sky Italia
• Middle East and North Africa – Starzplay
• Netherlands – Ziggo Sport
• New Zealand – Sky NZ
• Portugal – Sport TV
• Spain – Movistar

Chief Commercial Officer Ben Slack added: “Growing the reach and visibility of women’s rugby is central to our overall growth mission and we are delighted to be welcoming a strong line-up of broadcasters with proven rugby pedigree for WXV. The blend of free-to-air broadcast along with provision of free programming and content via RugbyPass TV for markets where a broadcast partner does exit, means that no matter where you are in the world you can watch all the action from WXV.”

WXV 2023 News

• WXV 2023 Complete Guide.
• Sakura Fifteen Pre-WXV 2 2023 Match Schedule & Results.
• WXV 2023 Match Officials.
• WXV 2023 Match Schedule Confirmed,