First South American to compete in the Rugby Women’s World Cup, the Brazilian team ended their participation in the competition played in England on Sunday (7) with a negative balance of three bells suffered by much more experienced teams, with 14 points and 214 suffered.
Despite the elastic scores, the Yaras, as the players of Brazil are known, also won important milestones in the dispute held in the birthplace, scoring their first points in a competition of this level and even leading the scoring for a few minutes in the farewell match.
Classified to the tenth edition of the tournament after beating Colombia in the 2024 regional qualifier, the Brazilian team made its debut in the competition against South Africa.
In the duel against the 12th of the world ranking, the Brazilian team, 25, lost 66 to 6, but scored its first points in the history of the World Cup.
The points were noted by Raquel Kochhann, in penalty kicks.
Raquel has already played three editions of Olympic Games and was a Brazil’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, after overcoming breast cancer.
There are two modalities in the Rugby: for seven (“Sevens”, played in Olympic Games) and 15 players (XV, the World Cup).
Brazilian women have experience in Sevens, with 21 continental titles. Faster and with less athletes, this version of the sport has simpler structure and lower cost.
“The score is not what we were looking for, but the players gave everything they could. They need more games of this level to evolve, it is the only option,” said the coach of the Brazilian team, Uruguayan Emiliano Caffera.
Following, Brazil faced France, 4th of the ranking and one of the title candidates.
In the setback by 84 to 5, the points won by the Yaras in the match came from the team’s first try, when the player crosses the goal line of the opposing team.
The person responsible for the team was the team captain, Bianca Silva, who managed to escape three opponents on the left side with a fly of body and shot before midfield.
“There was no time to feel much at the time I marked the Try, because I have to go back to the game, but I was very thrilled and held it not to cry. I finished the move, but the bid represents the work of the whole team,” said Bianca, who was revealed in the social project Rugby for all, in the Paraisópolis favela, in Sao Paulo.
In the last commitment in the competition against Italy, 9th of the ranking, new defeat, 64 to 3, but with Brazil managing for the first time leading the score.
Raquel Kochhann, again in a penalty charging, was responsible for opening the marker in the duel against the Italians, eight minutes into the match.
The Brazilian team went on the scoreboard until the 13th minute, when the Italy team became the first ‘Try’ of the game.
Despite the defeats, the Brazilian players praised the performance presented by the team in England.
“It is a great happiness to have played this World Cup, playing our way, with our style,” said captain Eshyllen Coimbra
“We work hard every week and managed to incorporate many things into our game. We will celebrate today and return to the World Cup in four years,” added Eshyllen, in reference to the 2029 World Cup in Australia.
“I am very proud of this selection, which has shown to the world that Brazil has talented athletes and a great team in XV. The experience lived is the main learning of this World Cup, and now what we need is more games and tournaments, and even twelve matches a year,” said coach Caffera.
The eight remaining selections in the tournament compete in the quarterfinals between September 13 and 14.
On Saturday, the New Zealand national team faces South Africa, while Canada measures forces with Australia.
On Sunday, it is the turn of France and Ireland and England and Scotland.
The final is scheduled for September 27.
