The Yaras of Brazil were anxious to widen their experience, in preparation for their introduction to a first World Cup. So the adventure of a two-match tour to the Netherlands took place.
This news is encouraging for both sides. NL still have high hopes of advancing their cause. Till now Spain have stood in their path of winning the European Championship. Their big target is to regain a place at a future World Cup. The 2025 version remains out of reach.
For the Yaras the games were even more important. First, they had gained the place that the Oranjes so desperately desired. Second, they were making the big leap to Europe, at a time when emerging nations still find touring a near impossibility; they were only now reaching double figures in test matches. Third, the games took place in a European winter with the kick-off set at a bleak 19.30. (Will it be warmer in an English August?) So they had to overcome a rapid transition to a hostile climate. Fourth, they so nearly claimed a deserved victory.
Game One
On 28 November the Yaras went down 15-7 in Amsterdam under lights. After a slow start they gained the lead with a try by Edna Santini. (7-0) The Dutch response was an unconverted try by prop Anouk Veerkamp, so the visitors held a 2-point lead at the break.
The rest of the game favoured the Oranjes. They took an early 10-7 lead, then, near the end, Lisa Egberts profited from a yellow card to extend the final lead to 15-7.
Game Two
4 December. Once more the floodlights did nothing to raise the temperature for the Yaras, but they put on a more determined performance. Indeed, it needed two late goals from the home side to wrest the game from them.
The first half was dominated by the boot. A penalty each made it 3-3 at the break.
Brazil dominated the start of the second half, opening up a lead of 12 points. Dayana Dakar crossed for their first try, then Cláudia Beltran added a second with 18 minutes left. Sadly for them these scores proved insufficient. The Dutch lock Isa Prins narrowed the gap to 10-15 and the tension rose. Mariet Luijken’s yellow made the Oranjes all the more determined. Lynn Koelman scored the vital try to bring scores level.
The crowd had to hold its breath until Pleunie Kievit sent the ball safely over the bar. Once more it came to another 17-15 finish.
Teams in the second match:
NETHERLANDS
15 Pleunit Kievit, 14 Kika Mulling, 13 Linneke Gevers, 12 Pien Selbeck (captain), 11 Gaya van Nifterik, 10 Jet Metz, 9 Esmee Ligtvoet, 8 Elisabeth Boot, 7 Mariet Luijken, 6 Mhina De Vos, 5 Inger Jongerius, 4 Isa Prins, 3 Brechtje Karst, 2 Julia Morauw, 1 Anouk Veerkamp Replacements: 16 Jara Bunnik, 17 Lynn Koelman, 18 Nicky Dix, 19 Gwen van der Schoot, 20 Quen Makkinga, 21 Lisa Egberts, 22 Lieve Stallmann, 23 Emma Van Traa
BRAZIL
15 Isadora Cerullo, 14 Cláudia Beltran, 13 Edna Santini, 12 Carolyne Pereira, 11 Lohana Valente, 10 Fernanda Tenório, 9 Luiza Campos, 8 Íris Coluna, 7 Letícia Medeiros, 6 Haline Scatrut, 5 Letícia Silva, 4 Eshyllen Coimbra (captain), 3 Taís Prioste, 2 Isabela Gomes, 1 Franciele Barros Replacements: 16 Júlia Leni Lima, 17 Patrícia Lima, 18 Pâmela Santos, 19 Dayana Dakar, 20 Amanda Welter, 21 Mariana Moreira, 22 Natália Rosa, 23 Aline Mayumi
Thoughts
The game had extra significance for the Dutch, as Sylke Haverkorn, the head coach, Marit Lemmens (sadly on crutches today) and Pien Selbeck were bidding goodbye. Haverkorn has been central to Dutch progress; after playing 7s and 15s since 2007 she advanced into coaching with great success.
A principal wish of hers, as with so many national coaches, is to see Dutch players able to mature at home rather than seek improvement abroad. So world rugby loses another female head coach. It would be encouraging to think Rugby Nederland could find a second to match Haverkorn’s achievements.
As a new SVNS series gets under way, attention is drawn once again to the world of Sevens, but this brief series is a notable step forward for the 15s game. Both nations needed the extra match experience on offer; both can come away with some confidence. The Brazilians will have gained much from the tour, even if they couldn’t quite claim a victory. They may feel their fitness needs stepping up a notch or two.
The second match can be viewed on www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHEh0-zWCZw
