Gareth Gilbert: Netherlands have shown ‘a lot of potential’ at WXV

Outgoing Netherlands head coach Gareth Gilbert stated that his team has demonstrated significant potential at the WXV Global Series Challenger. The Netherlands face the Fijiana this weekend at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground in a decisive clash, having earned victories against Samoa and Brazil in their first two tournament fixtures. The results have lifted the Oranje two spots up to 15th in the World Rugby rankings.

Gilbert is scheduled to depart his role after Saturday's match, ending a 16-year tenure with Rugby Nederland to coach schoolboy rugby in South Africa. Team captain Linde van der Velden expressed growing confidence as the Netherlands aim to build toward qualifying for the Women's Rugby World Cup 2029, a tournament they have not contested since 2002.