In a city famous for its miles of sandy beaches, the launch of rugby’s promotional campaign for the 2016 Olympics - with a beach rugby tournament - proved a huge success.

On the world famous Ipanema Beach, a purpose-built stadium on the sand was the setting as four men's - Argentina, Brazil, Italy and a Barbarian-type invitational - and two women's - Brazil and Argentina - international teams attracted a crowd well up over 1,500 for a full day's entertainment.

With a coaching clinic for children, an international and a local section, the event organized by the Confederaçao Brasilera de Rugby, World Rugby and Rio 2016 attracted new fans and spread the good word of the game.
 
Far from being confined to the sand, the event also played out to a national audience as the Super Desafío BRA – Beach Rugby 2014 was broadcast live for three hours.

In the men's division, Argentina were severely tested but went unbeaten. Led by World Sevens Series veteran Nicolás Bruzzone, the Pumas had just enough to see off Italy 8-6, the latter selected by the Italian Beach Rugby Federation and well versed in the arts of playing on the sand. After a more comfortable 11-3 win against the Rio Barbarians, the final was a nail-bitter, with the well-supported Brazilians coming close, Argentina narrowly winning 8-7.

Bruzzone: Enjoyable


 
“Beach is a lot of fun - for spectators, we get very tired!” said a smiling Bruzzone. “It is a different kind of rugby but it is great to play in, very enjoyable.”
 
Played in two halves of five minutes, with rolling subs and no set pieces or breakdowns, it is non-stop action played in heavy sand. Still recognisable as rugby, the game is instead restarted with free-kicks ensuring the action is fast and furious.
 
Two games were organised in the women's division and Brazil won both. The Argentine girls' tough defence ensured both wins were hard-fought but overall the home favourites scored 14 tries to the visitors’ eight.
 
Rio 2016 Sports Director Rodrigo García was on hand with members of his staff to further acquaint himself with the spirit of rugby. “For the city it is really important; a first opportunity here in Rio, at Ipanema, a very famous beach, to take rugby to the people," he said. 


 
Having attended a handful of World Sevens Series event, García is aware of what rugby can bring to the Games: “For us it is always important and a big responsibility to work with a new sport on the sports programme of the Olympic Games. We have been working hard and there has been a lot done with World Rugby to develop the game in Brazil. We are very excited to have this sport on the programme.”
 
World Rugby Regional Development Manager South America, Santiago Ramallo, hailed the tournament a great success: “Rio 2016, World Rugby and the Brazilian Rugby Confederation set up this great tournament to start promoting rugby here in Rio as we start looking forward towards the Olympics. Rugby is the fastest growing sport in Brazil and Beach Rugby is a very big tool to promote sevens ahead of the Olympics.”
 
Tournament Director, Bernardo Costa Duarte of the Confederaçao Brasilera de Rugby, was also delighted with the event. “In order to promote the game we wanted to take it to heart of the city, and that is its beaches. What better way to do that than by staging a tournament in Ipanema!”
 
Men’s Tournament
Argentina 6 - Italy 4
Brazil 11 - Río Barbarians 4
Brazil 6 - Italy 7
Argentina 11 - Rio Barbarians 3
Italy 10 - Rio Barbarians 0
Argentina 8 - Brazil 7
 
Women’s two-game series
Brazil 6 - Argentina 3
Brasil 8 - Argentina 5