Brazil will return as a core team on the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series next season after claiming victory at the series qualifier in Hong earlier this month.
As Yaras were made to fight every inch of the way on day one, winning each of their matches against Poland (14-12), Kazakhstan (14-12) and continental rivals Argentina (26-24) only by a couple of points.
Unlike in 2018 when Belgium proved too strong, Brazil made it past the quarter-final stage with a second victory over Kazakhstan, this time by a more comfortable 21-5, before Kenya were beaten 17-5 in the semi-finals.
Scotland stood between Brazil and a return to the series for the first time since 2017 and they led 19-14 early in the second half of the final. However, Brazil had prepared well for the tournament and finished strongly, scoring two converted tries for a 28-19 victory.
“It was great, a wonderful occasion that everybody will remember,” said coach Reuben Samuel.
“Going to Hong Kong we knew we could win, we just needed the confidence and belief. We saw glimpses of that mostly on the second day. Day one was tough mentally.”
Hard work pays off
Samuel was delighted that the hard work of his squad paid off.
“Our preparation changed, as we gave ourselves time to reach some goals. Argentina came to Sao Paulo and we spent a week with them. It was good for both of us. We live so far away from other teams that it is very difficult to prepare adequately for Hong Kong, so having them here helped.”
A week-long trip to Stellenbosch in South Africa also played a key part in preparations with Samuel thankful for the sacrifices made by a largely new group that has stepped up following the decision by a number of senior players to retire post-Rio 2016.
“I’ve never experienced a group like this. These girls train hard. They give up a lot of things just to be here. Culturally it’s not their sport. For them to be on this stage and to perform the way they do, and to play rugby the way they do, it’s a huge credit to the work they’ve put in,” said the 38-year old former Black Ferns assistant coach.
Brazil are back in action this weekend, competing against eight other national teams in the Paraguayan capital of Asunción in what is effectively a dress rehearsal for the regional qualification tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Peru in June.
“We have the qualification ahead, so the goal is there but, for us, it is about us taking it step by step. We feel lucky to be back on the circuit, but our feet are firmly back on the ground, focusing on Paraguay first, then Langford (where Brazil will compete as an invitational team in the Canadian round of the series on 11-12 May) and then the (Olympic) qualifier.
“These tournaments allow us to get the combinations going and allow us to develop players in a competitive environment. We have a solid team, but we are still mindful that we want to develop our players further.”
