WFR News
THE WORLD COMES TO WFR! SHOCKS, SHUTOUTS & STATEMENTS AS INTERNATIONAL TOUR RUGBY ERUPTS
2026-09-22 16:48:05
🌍🏉 WFR XXXI INTERNATIONAL TOURS
FIRST TESTS — THE WORLD ARRIVES ON WFR SOIL!
The first batch of WFR XXXI International Tour matches delivered almost everything imaginable: huge club victories, international upsets, shutouts, hat-tricks, brutal forward contests and some remarkably tight Test-style battles.
Across 13 matches and eight different tours, the WFR clubs discovered immediately that international opposition wasn't arriving simply to make up the numbers.
Brazil won in Buenos Aires. Uruguay edged Santiago. Hong Kong, China stunned Tokyo. Samoa blanked Perth. But elsewhere the WFR clubs struck back emphatically, with Paris hitting 50, Peninsula putting 38 on Fiji, Brisbane shutting out Tonga and Harlequins producing a six-try victory over Spain.
🇳🇿 NEW ZEALAND TOUR
PENINSULA WHALERS 38–20 FIJI
PLEDGER DOUBLE AS WHALERS WIN A PACIFIC SHOOTOUT
The Whalers opened their international campaign with one of the most entertaining matches of the first tour window.
Dylan Pledger struck twice inside the opening 13 minutes, Richie Mo'unga converting both, before Fiji answered through Tuidraki Samusamuvodre. Mo'unga's penalty then pushed Peninsula out to 17–5.
Fiji refused to disappear. They eventually accumulated four tries through Meli Tuni, Temo Mayanavanua, Elia Canakaivata and Samusamuvodre — but extraordinarily failed to convert any of them.
That proved costly.
Peninsula scored five tries of their own through George Bell, Pledger x2, George Bridge and Callum Simpson, while Mo'unga was perfect 5/5 from conversions and added a penalty.
FULL TIME: WHALERS 38–20 FIJI.
The Whalers enjoyed 57.5% possession and Fiji committed 13 handling errors.
WFR TV Star: ⭐ Dylan Pledger — two tries and a major role in setting up the victory.
SOUTHERN SWASHBUCKLERS 24–0 GEORGIA
SOUTHERN SLAM THE DOOR — GEORGIA HELD SCORELESS
This was classic Southern.
Hugh Renton scored twice, including the Swashbucklers' opening try, while Brad Weber controlled the scoreboard. Southern eventually carried a 24–0 lead all the way to fulltime despite Georgia continuing to attack late.
Weber finished with a try, 3/3 conversions and a penalty — 14 individual points — while Renton's double supplied the foundation.
The statistical difference was striking: Southern had 61.25% possession, won the scrum count 12–2, and Georgia made 17 handling errors.
WFR TV Star: ⭐ Brad Weber — 14 points and another commanding performance from the Southern general.
🇿🇦 SOUTH AFRICA TOUR
DURBAN SPORTS CLUB 22–3 KENYA
SACHA'S BOOT GRINDS KENYA DOWN
Not every international tour match needed to become a try-fest.
Durban and Kenya produced a far more attritional contest. Geoffrey Ominde actually put Kenya ahead 3–0 before Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu levelled matters.
Durban eventually broke through for only one try, scored by PJ Botha, but Sacha punished Kenya repeatedly from the tee: five penalties from five attempts plus the conversion.
That accounted for 17 of Durban's 22 points.
Kenya's Josh Weru was yellow-carded late, while the match also produced injuries to Durban's Cameron Hanekom and Kenya's Geoffrey Okwach.
FULL TIME: DURBAN 22–3 KENYA.
WFR TV Star: ⭐ Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu — 17 points.
🇦🇷🇨🇱 SOUTH AMERICA TOUR
BUENOS AIRES BOMBERS 10–19 BRAZIL
🇧🇷 BRAZIL BOMB THE BOMBERS!
Now this was a tour result.
Carlo Mignot gave Brazil their opening try after 13 minutes, and the visitors refused to be intimidated by playing Buenos Aires on their own turf.
Brazil eventually scored three tries through Cleber Dias, Carlo Mignot and Lucas Tranquez, with Joao do Amaral converting two.
The Bombers could manage only Felipe Barla's try, conversion and penalty.
Brazil didn't steal it, either. They finished with 56.25% possession and more time in opposition territory. Buenos Aires conceded an extraordinary 20 penalties.
Adrio de Melo's yellow card gave the Bombers an opportunity, but Brazil survived it.
FULL TIME: BUENOS AIRES 10–19 BRAZIL.
🌟 TOUR SHOCK No.1: BRAZIL WIN IN BUENOS AIRES.
SANTIAGO CONDORS 10–13 URUGUAY
URUGUAY WIN THE SOUTH AMERICAN ARM-WRESTLE
Perhaps the purest Test match of the opening batch.
Uruguay struck through Ignacio Dotti before Martin Sigren replied for Santiago, Juan Cruz Mallia converting to make it 7–7. Santiago had already spent ten minutes down a man after Santiago Valenzuela's yellow card.
It eventually came down to the boot of Baltazar Amaya.
His second penalty established a 13–10 lead that Uruguay defended through the closing stages.
The numbers underline how close it was: possession 53.75–46.25 Uruguay, territory/time in opposition half 40–40, scrums 4–3 and lineouts 20–17.
FULL TIME: SANTIAGO 10–13 URUGUAY.
WFR TV Star: ⭐ Baltazar Amaya — conversion and two penalties in a three-point victory.
🇬🇧 BRITAIN TOUR
LEEDS TIGERS 27–8 PORTUGAL
FORD DOES IT ALL — PLAYER OF THE SEASON PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
WFR XXX Player of the Season George Ford didn't waste much time reminding everyone why he earned that title.
Ford opened the match with a penalty after two minutes. Portugal answered while Leeds were down to 14 following Tommy Freeman's yellow card, and the contest remained far tighter than Portugal's eventual 19-point defeat suggests.
But Ford ultimately took over.
He scored a try, converted one, landed four penalties from five attempts and added a drop goal.
That's 22 of Leeds' 27 points.
Alex Lewington scored Leeds' other try, while Cody Thomas crossed for Portugal.
FULL TIME: LEEDS 27–8 PORTUGAL.
⭐ GEORGE FORD — 22 POINTS
Try ✔ | Conversion ✔ | Penalties ✔ | Drop Goal ✔
HARLEQUINS CYMRAEG 39–21 SPAIN
🎩 COSTELOW HAT-TRICK!
Sam Costelow absolutely lit this one up.
Ryan Hart gave Harlequins their opening try after six minutes before Costelow scored and converted his own try to establish a 12–0 advantage.
Spain fought hard — particularly through Carlos de la Fuente's two tries — but Costelow kept coming.
By fulltime the Harlequins No.10 had scored a hat-trick, kicked three conversions and added a penalty.
Harlequins scored six tries overall: Morgan Strong, Ryan Hart, Ryan Conbeer and Costelow x3.
Spain answered with Pau Aira and de la Fuente x2.
FULL TIME: HARLEQUINS 39–21 SPAIN.
WFR TV Star: ⭐ Sam Costelow — 24 points and three tries.
🇯🇵 JAPAN TOUR
TOKYO SHOGUNS 3–5 HONG KONG, CHINA
🚨 TOKYO SHOCK! — HONG KONG, CHINA WIN 5–3
One try.
That's all it took.
Ben Donaldson kicked Tokyo into a 3–0 lead after only two minutes. Hong Kong, China responded almost immediately, with Lachlan Doheny scoring after three minutes.
The conversion missed.
Nobody knew it at the time, but the scoring was finished.
For the remaining 77 minutes, neither team scored another point.
Tokyo repeatedly tried to find a way through, but Hong Kong, China held them out despite Gregor Ramage receiving a yellow card.
Hong Kong, China actually edged possession 52.5–47.5 and dominated the lineouts 22–13.
FULL TIME: TOKYO 3–5 HONG KONG, CHINA.
There was a price: try-scorer Doheny and Marcus Ramage were both listed among the injuries.
🌟 TOUR SHOCK No.2: HONG KONG, CHINA WIN IN TOKYO.
🇫🇷 FRANCE TOUR
PARIS TITANS 50–7 POLAND
💥 TITANS HIT FIFTY!
The biggest WFR club score of the opening international batch belonged to Paris.
Hugo Hermet opened the scoring after 11 minutes. From there, Poland simply couldn't contain the Titans.
Paris eventually scored five tries: Maxime Lamothe x2, Hugo Hermet x2 and Clement Verge.
But the extraordinary scoring contribution came from Melvyn Jaminet.
Jaminet kicked 5/5 conversions and five penalties from six attempts.
25 POINTS FROM THE BOOT.
Paris led 50–0 before Polish captain Edward Krawiecki finally crossed in the 78th minute, Daniel Gdula converting.
FULL TIME: PARIS 50–7 POLAND.
Paris controlled 68.75% possession.
WFR TV Star: ⭐ Melvyn Jaminet — 25 points and a perfect 5/5 on conversions.
🇦🇺 AUSTRALIA TOUR
PERTH REDS 0–23 SAMOA
🇼🇸 SAMOA SHUT PERTH OUT!
Another major international statement.
Peter Umaga-Jensen put Samoa ahead from the tee before Joel Lam produced one of the tour's special moments — a drop goal to make it 6–0.
From there Samoa steadily tightened their grip.
Jay Tuivaiti and Iakopo Mapu supplied the tries, Umaga-Jensen converted both and added two penalties, while Perth failed to register a single point.
Samoa controlled 63.75% possession, spent 52 minutes in opposition territory and won the scrum battle 10–5.
Perth's Sione Tapu'osi was yellow-carded and Andrew Grubb suffered an injury listed at 1–2 games.
FULL TIME: PERTH 0–23 SAMOA.
A genuine touring-country statement.
BRISBANE PIRATES 31–0 TONGA
🏴☠️ PIRATES LOCK TONGA OUT
If Samoa's defence was impressive, Brisbane answered with a shutout of their own.
The Pirates eventually scored through Aidan Ross and Declan Meredith x2, while Andrew Kellaway punished Tonga from the tee with two conversions and four penalties.
Brisbane's control was enormous:
70% possession.
25–11 lineouts.
49 minutes in opposition territory.
Zero points conceded.
Ross crossed at 74 minutes before Meredith's second try completed the 31–0 scoreline four minutes later.
FULL TIME: BRISBANE 31–0 TONGA.
WFR TV Star: ⭐ Declan Meredith — two tries.
🌎 NORTH AMERICA TOUR
BC LUMBERJACKS 28–17 MEXICO
🪓 LUMBERJACKS KEEP SWINGING
BC's international debut added another significant chapter to the Lumberjacks' young history.
Jack Reeves and Alejandro Chavez traded early penalties before Codie Taylor scored BC's opening try.
BC ultimately crossed through Cole Keith, Codie Taylor and Dane Siebens, while Reeves contributed two conversions and three penalties.
Mexico stayed competitive through tries from Alejandro Revilla Beltran and Jose Larraga Martinez, but Chavez's yellow card made the task harder.
BC controlled 58.75% possession, won the scrums 8–6 and lineouts 23–18.
FULL TIME: BC LUMBERJACKS 28–17 MEXICO.
Another win for WFR's newest club.
CALIFORNIAN GRIZZLIES 37–14 PARAGUAY
🐻 GRIZZLIES ROAR IN NORTH AMERICA
California wasted little time putting Paraguay under pressure.
Handré Pollard opened the scoring from the tee, and Paraguay then had Ignacio Martinez yellow-carded after three minutes and Francisco Bareiro yellow-carded after seven.
Mark Telea crossed before Edwill van der Merwe added another, Pollard converting.
California ultimately completed a convincing 37–14 victory, another strong WFR club result to close the first international batch.
📺 WFR TV — FIRST TOUR WINDOW HEADLINE GRABBERS
🇧🇷 BRAZIL BOMBS THE BOMBERS — 19–10 IN BUENOS AIRES!
🇭🇰 HONG KONG, CHINA SHOCK TOKYO — ONE TRY WINS IT 5–3!
🇼🇸 SAMOA SILENCE PERTH — REDS BLANKED 23–0!
🐅 FORD DOES EVERYTHING — 22-POINT MASTERCLASS AGAINST PORTUGAL!
🎩 COSTELOW HAT-TRICK — HARLEQUINS PUT 39 ON SPAIN!
🇫🇷 JAMINET'S 25-POINT BOOT — PARIS HIT POLAND FOR 50!
🏴☠️ NO WAY THROUGH — BRISBANE SHUT TONGA OUT 31–0!
🐋 PLEDGER DOUBLE — WHALERS WIN FIJI SHOOTOUT 38–20!
🇺🇾 URUGUAY HOLD THEIR NERVE — CONDORS EDGED 13–10!
🪓 BC WIN AGAIN — LUMBERJACKS TAKE DOWN MEXICO 28–17!
🌟 WFR TV — PERFORMANCES OF THE TOUR WINDOW
There are several contenders, but four performances leap off these first reports: Melvyn Jaminet's 25 points for Paris, Sam Costelow's hat-trick and 24 points for Harlequins, George Ford's 22 points in virtually every scoring fashion for Leeds, and Brad Weber's 14-point performance in Southern's shutout of Georgia.
And perhaps the most remarkable team performances belong to Hong Kong, China, for protecting a two-point advantage for essentially the entire match in Tokyo; Brazil, for winning away in Buenos Aires; and Samoa, for holding Perth scoreless.
🌍 THE FIRST TOUR WINDOW BELONGED TO NOBODY.
The WFR clubs won plenty — and won big in places — but Brazil, Uruguay, Hong Kong, China and Samoa proved immediately that these International Tours are going to be anything but exhibitions.
Thirteen matches down. The world has officially entered WFR. 🏉🌍🔥
Back to News Centre
FIRST TESTS — THE WORLD ARRIVES ON WFR SOIL!
The first batch of WFR XXXI International Tour matches delivered almost everything imaginable: huge club victories, international upsets, shutouts, hat-tricks, brutal forward contests and some remarkably tight Test-style battles.
Across 13 matches and eight different tours, the WFR clubs discovered immediately that international opposition wasn't arriving simply to make up the numbers.
Brazil won in Buenos Aires. Uruguay edged Santiago. Hong Kong, China stunned Tokyo. Samoa blanked Perth. But elsewhere the WFR clubs struck back emphatically, with Paris hitting 50, Peninsula putting 38 on Fiji, Brisbane shutting out Tonga and Harlequins producing a six-try victory over Spain.
🇳🇿 NEW ZEALAND TOUR
PENINSULA WHALERS 38–20 FIJI
PLEDGER DOUBLE AS WHALERS WIN A PACIFIC SHOOTOUT
The Whalers opened their international campaign with one of the most entertaining matches of the first tour window.
Dylan Pledger struck twice inside the opening 13 minutes, Richie Mo'unga converting both, before Fiji answered through Tuidraki Samusamuvodre. Mo'unga's penalty then pushed Peninsula out to 17–5.
Fiji refused to disappear. They eventually accumulated four tries through Meli Tuni, Temo Mayanavanua, Elia Canakaivata and Samusamuvodre — but extraordinarily failed to convert any of them.
That proved costly.
Peninsula scored five tries of their own through George Bell, Pledger x2, George Bridge and Callum Simpson, while Mo'unga was perfect 5/5 from conversions and added a penalty.
FULL TIME: WHALERS 38–20 FIJI.
The Whalers enjoyed 57.5% possession and Fiji committed 13 handling errors.
WFR TV Star: ⭐ Dylan Pledger — two tries and a major role in setting up the victory.
SOUTHERN SWASHBUCKLERS 24–0 GEORGIA
SOUTHERN SLAM THE DOOR — GEORGIA HELD SCORELESS
This was classic Southern.
Hugh Renton scored twice, including the Swashbucklers' opening try, while Brad Weber controlled the scoreboard. Southern eventually carried a 24–0 lead all the way to fulltime despite Georgia continuing to attack late.
Weber finished with a try, 3/3 conversions and a penalty — 14 individual points — while Renton's double supplied the foundation.
The statistical difference was striking: Southern had 61.25% possession, won the scrum count 12–2, and Georgia made 17 handling errors.
WFR TV Star: ⭐ Brad Weber — 14 points and another commanding performance from the Southern general.
🇿🇦 SOUTH AFRICA TOUR
DURBAN SPORTS CLUB 22–3 KENYA
SACHA'S BOOT GRINDS KENYA DOWN
Not every international tour match needed to become a try-fest.
Durban and Kenya produced a far more attritional contest. Geoffrey Ominde actually put Kenya ahead 3–0 before Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu levelled matters.
Durban eventually broke through for only one try, scored by PJ Botha, but Sacha punished Kenya repeatedly from the tee: five penalties from five attempts plus the conversion.
That accounted for 17 of Durban's 22 points.
Kenya's Josh Weru was yellow-carded late, while the match also produced injuries to Durban's Cameron Hanekom and Kenya's Geoffrey Okwach.
FULL TIME: DURBAN 22–3 KENYA.
WFR TV Star: ⭐ Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu — 17 points.
🇦🇷🇨🇱 SOUTH AMERICA TOUR
BUENOS AIRES BOMBERS 10–19 BRAZIL
🇧🇷 BRAZIL BOMB THE BOMBERS!
Now this was a tour result.
Carlo Mignot gave Brazil their opening try after 13 minutes, and the visitors refused to be intimidated by playing Buenos Aires on their own turf.
Brazil eventually scored three tries through Cleber Dias, Carlo Mignot and Lucas Tranquez, with Joao do Amaral converting two.
The Bombers could manage only Felipe Barla's try, conversion and penalty.
Brazil didn't steal it, either. They finished with 56.25% possession and more time in opposition territory. Buenos Aires conceded an extraordinary 20 penalties.
Adrio de Melo's yellow card gave the Bombers an opportunity, but Brazil survived it.
FULL TIME: BUENOS AIRES 10–19 BRAZIL.
🌟 TOUR SHOCK No.1: BRAZIL WIN IN BUENOS AIRES.
SANTIAGO CONDORS 10–13 URUGUAY
URUGUAY WIN THE SOUTH AMERICAN ARM-WRESTLE
Perhaps the purest Test match of the opening batch.
Uruguay struck through Ignacio Dotti before Martin Sigren replied for Santiago, Juan Cruz Mallia converting to make it 7–7. Santiago had already spent ten minutes down a man after Santiago Valenzuela's yellow card.
It eventually came down to the boot of Baltazar Amaya.
His second penalty established a 13–10 lead that Uruguay defended through the closing stages.
The numbers underline how close it was: possession 53.75–46.25 Uruguay, territory/time in opposition half 40–40, scrums 4–3 and lineouts 20–17.
FULL TIME: SANTIAGO 10–13 URUGUAY.
WFR TV Star: ⭐ Baltazar Amaya — conversion and two penalties in a three-point victory.
🇬🇧 BRITAIN TOUR
LEEDS TIGERS 27–8 PORTUGAL
FORD DOES IT ALL — PLAYER OF THE SEASON PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
WFR XXX Player of the Season George Ford didn't waste much time reminding everyone why he earned that title.
Ford opened the match with a penalty after two minutes. Portugal answered while Leeds were down to 14 following Tommy Freeman's yellow card, and the contest remained far tighter than Portugal's eventual 19-point defeat suggests.
But Ford ultimately took over.
He scored a try, converted one, landed four penalties from five attempts and added a drop goal.
That's 22 of Leeds' 27 points.
Alex Lewington scored Leeds' other try, while Cody Thomas crossed for Portugal.
FULL TIME: LEEDS 27–8 PORTUGAL.
⭐ GEORGE FORD — 22 POINTS
Try ✔ | Conversion ✔ | Penalties ✔ | Drop Goal ✔
HARLEQUINS CYMRAEG 39–21 SPAIN
🎩 COSTELOW HAT-TRICK!
Sam Costelow absolutely lit this one up.
Ryan Hart gave Harlequins their opening try after six minutes before Costelow scored and converted his own try to establish a 12–0 advantage.
Spain fought hard — particularly through Carlos de la Fuente's two tries — but Costelow kept coming.
By fulltime the Harlequins No.10 had scored a hat-trick, kicked three conversions and added a penalty.
Harlequins scored six tries overall: Morgan Strong, Ryan Hart, Ryan Conbeer and Costelow x3.
Spain answered with Pau Aira and de la Fuente x2.
FULL TIME: HARLEQUINS 39–21 SPAIN.
WFR TV Star: ⭐ Sam Costelow — 24 points and three tries.
🇯🇵 JAPAN TOUR
TOKYO SHOGUNS 3–5 HONG KONG, CHINA
🚨 TOKYO SHOCK! — HONG KONG, CHINA WIN 5–3
One try.
That's all it took.
Ben Donaldson kicked Tokyo into a 3–0 lead after only two minutes. Hong Kong, China responded almost immediately, with Lachlan Doheny scoring after three minutes.
The conversion missed.
Nobody knew it at the time, but the scoring was finished.
For the remaining 77 minutes, neither team scored another point.
Tokyo repeatedly tried to find a way through, but Hong Kong, China held them out despite Gregor Ramage receiving a yellow card.
Hong Kong, China actually edged possession 52.5–47.5 and dominated the lineouts 22–13.
FULL TIME: TOKYO 3–5 HONG KONG, CHINA.
There was a price: try-scorer Doheny and Marcus Ramage were both listed among the injuries.
🌟 TOUR SHOCK No.2: HONG KONG, CHINA WIN IN TOKYO.
🇫🇷 FRANCE TOUR
PARIS TITANS 50–7 POLAND
💥 TITANS HIT FIFTY!
The biggest WFR club score of the opening international batch belonged to Paris.
Hugo Hermet opened the scoring after 11 minutes. From there, Poland simply couldn't contain the Titans.
Paris eventually scored five tries: Maxime Lamothe x2, Hugo Hermet x2 and Clement Verge.
But the extraordinary scoring contribution came from Melvyn Jaminet.
Jaminet kicked 5/5 conversions and five penalties from six attempts.
25 POINTS FROM THE BOOT.
Paris led 50–0 before Polish captain Edward Krawiecki finally crossed in the 78th minute, Daniel Gdula converting.
FULL TIME: PARIS 50–7 POLAND.
Paris controlled 68.75% possession.
WFR TV Star: ⭐ Melvyn Jaminet — 25 points and a perfect 5/5 on conversions.
🇦🇺 AUSTRALIA TOUR
PERTH REDS 0–23 SAMOA
🇼🇸 SAMOA SHUT PERTH OUT!
Another major international statement.
Peter Umaga-Jensen put Samoa ahead from the tee before Joel Lam produced one of the tour's special moments — a drop goal to make it 6–0.
From there Samoa steadily tightened their grip.
Jay Tuivaiti and Iakopo Mapu supplied the tries, Umaga-Jensen converted both and added two penalties, while Perth failed to register a single point.
Samoa controlled 63.75% possession, spent 52 minutes in opposition territory and won the scrum battle 10–5.
Perth's Sione Tapu'osi was yellow-carded and Andrew Grubb suffered an injury listed at 1–2 games.
FULL TIME: PERTH 0–23 SAMOA.
A genuine touring-country statement.
BRISBANE PIRATES 31–0 TONGA
🏴☠️ PIRATES LOCK TONGA OUT
If Samoa's defence was impressive, Brisbane answered with a shutout of their own.
The Pirates eventually scored through Aidan Ross and Declan Meredith x2, while Andrew Kellaway punished Tonga from the tee with two conversions and four penalties.
Brisbane's control was enormous:
70% possession.
25–11 lineouts.
49 minutes in opposition territory.
Zero points conceded.
Ross crossed at 74 minutes before Meredith's second try completed the 31–0 scoreline four minutes later.
FULL TIME: BRISBANE 31–0 TONGA.
WFR TV Star: ⭐ Declan Meredith — two tries.
🌎 NORTH AMERICA TOUR
BC LUMBERJACKS 28–17 MEXICO
🪓 LUMBERJACKS KEEP SWINGING
BC's international debut added another significant chapter to the Lumberjacks' young history.
Jack Reeves and Alejandro Chavez traded early penalties before Codie Taylor scored BC's opening try.
BC ultimately crossed through Cole Keith, Codie Taylor and Dane Siebens, while Reeves contributed two conversions and three penalties.
Mexico stayed competitive through tries from Alejandro Revilla Beltran and Jose Larraga Martinez, but Chavez's yellow card made the task harder.
BC controlled 58.75% possession, won the scrums 8–6 and lineouts 23–18.
FULL TIME: BC LUMBERJACKS 28–17 MEXICO.
Another win for WFR's newest club.
CALIFORNIAN GRIZZLIES 37–14 PARAGUAY
🐻 GRIZZLIES ROAR IN NORTH AMERICA
California wasted little time putting Paraguay under pressure.
Handré Pollard opened the scoring from the tee, and Paraguay then had Ignacio Martinez yellow-carded after three minutes and Francisco Bareiro yellow-carded after seven.
Mark Telea crossed before Edwill van der Merwe added another, Pollard converting.
California ultimately completed a convincing 37–14 victory, another strong WFR club result to close the first international batch.
📺 WFR TV — FIRST TOUR WINDOW HEADLINE GRABBERS
🇧🇷 BRAZIL BOMBS THE BOMBERS — 19–10 IN BUENOS AIRES!
🇭🇰 HONG KONG, CHINA SHOCK TOKYO — ONE TRY WINS IT 5–3!
🇼🇸 SAMOA SILENCE PERTH — REDS BLANKED 23–0!
🐅 FORD DOES EVERYTHING — 22-POINT MASTERCLASS AGAINST PORTUGAL!
🎩 COSTELOW HAT-TRICK — HARLEQUINS PUT 39 ON SPAIN!
🇫🇷 JAMINET'S 25-POINT BOOT — PARIS HIT POLAND FOR 50!
🏴☠️ NO WAY THROUGH — BRISBANE SHUT TONGA OUT 31–0!
🐋 PLEDGER DOUBLE — WHALERS WIN FIJI SHOOTOUT 38–20!
🇺🇾 URUGUAY HOLD THEIR NERVE — CONDORS EDGED 13–10!
🪓 BC WIN AGAIN — LUMBERJACKS TAKE DOWN MEXICO 28–17!
🌟 WFR TV — PERFORMANCES OF THE TOUR WINDOW
There are several contenders, but four performances leap off these first reports: Melvyn Jaminet's 25 points for Paris, Sam Costelow's hat-trick and 24 points for Harlequins, George Ford's 22 points in virtually every scoring fashion for Leeds, and Brad Weber's 14-point performance in Southern's shutout of Georgia.
And perhaps the most remarkable team performances belong to Hong Kong, China, for protecting a two-point advantage for essentially the entire match in Tokyo; Brazil, for winning away in Buenos Aires; and Samoa, for holding Perth scoreless.
🌍 THE FIRST TOUR WINDOW BELONGED TO NOBODY.
The WFR clubs won plenty — and won big in places — but Brazil, Uruguay, Hong Kong, China and Samoa proved immediately that these International Tours are going to be anything but exhibitions.
Thirteen matches down. The world has officially entered WFR. 🏉🌍🔥