Jamor, Lisbon
The match took place in some of the greenest surroundings imaginable, but later it was affected by rain.
Portugal, ‘As Lobas’ (the Wolves), started promisingly, Antonia Martins making two threatening runs on the left. But once the Oranjes got their feet on the ground, they showed their greater know-how. A fine line-out catch was followed by a big rumble, then some good combos.
Another set of phases led to their first try, scored by flanker Elisabeth Boot. 0-7. Portugal then had their best moment when Mariana Marques found an inviting gap to run through unimpeded to the posts. 7-7.
The rest of the game was hampered by intermittent rain, which may have accounted for some of the handling errors. Slowly the Dutch were gaining control. On the half-hour they had a scrum put- in on the 5 metre line under the posts. Sure enough, Lieve Stallmann went over on the left wing. Defences had been pulled out of position. 7-12
Right on half-time Anoushka Beukers completed a faultless drive after a clean line-out take by Linde van der Velden.
Half-time: 7-17
That third try put wind in the Dutch sails. They started building threatening moves, support players arriving on time to keep forward momentum. Dummies and reverse passes led to another try, this one by Nicky Dix. 7-24
The Portuguese cause wasn’t helped by a yellow for hooker Ines Marques, as she impeded another Dutch advance. Beukers added her second from close in. 7-31.
The match finished with the Dutch still attacking strongly. The Lobas were well beaten, but, given their relative lack of experience, can be pleased with their performance. Every match they play will add enormously to their grasp of game-management, when to take a risk, when to play safe, and so on. For them Adelina Costa stood out for her hard work and thrustful running.
Their encounter with Sweden in a fortnight’s time should give them more time and room to express themselves.
For the Oranjes the big game is the clash with Colombia next month (details below). This run-out in Lisbon will reveal the edges that need smoothing in their game, but their pack looks strong enough to counter most challenges at this level. More variety at the base of the scrum would be welcome. They too have succumbed to the supposed delights of the ultra-slow caterpillar ruck. On the same day England’s men’s team showed how unprofitable that can be. The referee’s call ‘Use it!’ should be banned from the game entirely. Why should a team need to be told to ‘use’ the ball? Why else have they turned up?
Coverage: there was no TV commentary, but the referee kept up a barrage of informative instructions, some repeated four times. The cameras looked as though they had stopped off once or twice on their way to the ground. They had great difficult in keeping up with the movement of the ball, but we should be grateful for their presence.
Result: Portugal 7 Netherlands 31
Teams (as originally published; there were last-minute adjustments):
Portugal
1 Carlota Torres 2 Ines Marques 3 Beatriz Rodrigues 4 Ana Casas 5 Ana Fernandes 6 Laura Pereira 7 Arleta Consalves 8 Adelina Costa 9 Ana Santos 10 Isabel Osorio 11 Antonia Martins 12 Maria Costa 13 Mariana Marques 14 Ines Spinola 15 Daniela Correia
Bench: 16 Elsa Santos 17 Maria Teixeira 18 Sara Magalhaes 19 Ines Barbosa 20 Marion Mazer 21 Beatriz Oliveira 22 Marta Pedro 23 Mariana Santos
Head Coach: Joao Moura
Netherlands:
1 Nicky Dix 2 Anoushka Beukers 3 Brechtje Karst 4 Inger Jongerius 5 Isa Prins 6 Elisabeth Boot 7 Mariet Luijken 8 Linde van der Velden (captain) 9 Esmee Ligtvoet 10 Jet Anita Metz 11 Gaya van Nifterik 12 Pien Selbeck 13 Isa Spoler 14 Senne Hoog 15 Jordan Heil
Bench: 16 Sydney de Weijer 17 Supartie van Heerde 18 Julia Morauw 19 Julia Verhoeven 20 Mhina de Vos 21 Quen Makkinga 22 Marit Lemmens 23 Lieve Stallmann
Head Coach: Sylke Haverkorn
Referee: Jenny Lee (Spain)
Coming fixtures:
Portugal v Sweden; 9 March, Jamor Lisbon, 16:00
NL v Colombia, 16 March, Amsterdam, 14:00
Memo: all games under the Rugby Europe banner are viewable on rugbyeurope.tv
