He may be one of the youngest coaches in international rugby, but Tomaz Morais was the mastermind behind Portugal’s qualification for a first ever Rugby World Cup and has now turned his attention to ensuring his charges as fully prepared for their historic debut.

A former Portuguese international before injury curtailed his playing career after 22 caps, Morais has proven an inspirational coach and one whose passion for the game constantly drives him on the next challenge.

"What motivates me are the players, the rugby itself, my passion for it and the fact that I am lucky enough to be one of those people in the world who do what they really love doing," Morais told Total Rugby.

"I'm the sort of person who finds it very easy to find the inner strength to reach my goals. I’m not a person who likes drama or is negative, in fact the opposite. I always think positive, always forward, always putting this passion for rugby first."

Morais has been in charge of Portugal's national team since 2001 – earning a nomination for the IRB Coach of the Year award in 2004 – and during that time has fostered a close relationship with his players, one that will stand them in good stead at RWC 2007.

Emotional bond

"Without a doubt my bond with the team is very strong. It’s been a long time, many years with this team, these players," added Morais, who combines his coaching of the national team with that of Portugal’s sevens team and his job as a university lecturer in Lisbon.

"We’ve shared moments of very strong emotions during the qualifying games for the World Cup. That made us bond with each other more. It's' a very strong relationship we have now between all the people, the technical staff and the players."

It is these relationships which have enabled Morais to bully and cajole his players, employers and the Government to fund a full-time training camp on the south coast of Portugal as they prepare for their World Cup debut.

Morais' enthusiasm for the sport and his meticulous attention to detail in his preparations have become second nature to those players under his charge, as has his participation in drills to test his now 37-year-old body.

"Tomaz is very well organised, all the training and everything that involves the team is thought about carefully, especially the training, the part that involves direct contact with the players," admitted Luis Pissarra.

"Psychologically he always keeps us on the edge so he can get the best out of us and apart from that he still does most of the drills, physical drills with us, so we can stretch ourselves and he can test himself!"

Confidence builder

His teammate Joaquim Ferreira added: "Tomaz is a stubborn person. He gets something in his head and keeps the focus on it and it has to be done well and he doesn’t stop. That’s what I think he does well with the players.

"He knows the best and the worst of each of them and manages to draw out the best of them all and he best on the boys, gives them confidence to reach the impossible."

That inner belief will be invaluable as Les Lobos – 'the Wolves' as Portugal are known – fight for every scrap of possession against favourites New Zealand, Scotland, Italy and Romania in Pool C at the World Cup.

Portugal's growing success on the rugby pitch has also seen the sport increase in popularity in the football-mad country, a fact highlighted with the kick off of their match with London Welsh brought forward to accommodate nationwide live TV coverage.

The practice match against the English National League One club didn't end in a victory with Portugal losing 19-16, but that won't deter their inspirational young coach from his preparations that see them now head to Canada for two further warm up matches.

"We played a good game, a beginning of the season match. It wasn't what we were expecting, but we played some good rugby at times and managed to set up our patterns … I think we have a lot of work ahead of us!"