Ambrósio and Brazil Focus on Overcoming Colombia

Os Tupis Head Coach Rodolfo Ambrósio has announced a 33-man training squad to prepare for this coming Saturday’s vital home international against Los Tucanes in São Paulo. Brazil will take-on north-western neighbors, Colombia in a repechage match with the winner playing in the South American A Championship in 2016 while the loser will play in the B division.

The 33-man roster will be cut to 23 for the game which Brazil cannot afford to lose. The Tupis will play in the inaugural Americas Rugby Cup despite currently being ranked 9th in the Americas. Sitting above Brazil are Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago and Colombia, none of whom are to feature in the Six-Nation tournament.

The 33 athletes are training under an intensive regime in São José dos Campos, the rugby stronghold in the interior of São Paulo state. By training at the facility it is hoped that Brazil can turn around their fortunes after having had a torrid year including losses against Chile, Germany, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Similar to the game against Germany this past Friday, Saturady’s home international will offer spectators  the chance to see the national men’s rugby team playing free of charge. The cost of admission is to be 1kg of non-perishable food.

“This is going to be a very important game, certainly tough, which could guarantee Brazil’s spot in the South American A division. Both teams are going to put their best players on the field, but we aer confident. Our expectation is to win the match and remain in the continent’s elite” declared Ambrósio.

In addition to the food donations the CBRu supports the initiative of Brazilian women’s international Amanda Macedônio, who has put together a campaign to collect water for the city of Mariana, Minas Gerais. The city recently suffered one of the biggest environmental disasters in the history of Brazil and, indeed, the world.

Among the 33 athletes prearing to face Los Tucanes two players from Natal, Rio Grande do Norte join the roster as have New Zealander Josh Reeves, South African De Wet van Niekerk and veteran Lucas Duque of São José rugby.