Brazil names squad for ARC opener

Brazil coach Rodolfo Ambrosio has named 26 players to prepare for the opening match of the Americas Rugby Championship against Chile, to take place at the Estádio do Pacaembu on February 3. Veteran no8 Nick Smith will captain the side that includes a number of returnees from the 2016 tournament and three newcomers, with only two players based outside of Brazil.

New Zealand-born flyhalf Josh Reeves is set to make his test debut having already represented Brazil in sevens, so too South African utility back De Wet van Niekerk. Both Reeves, 29, and van Niekerk, 21, qualify on residency having lived in Brazil for several years. The other uncapped player is 19-year-old prop Matheus Rocha, who graduates directly from last year’s national u19 side to the senior test side after impressing with Jacareí in the Taça Tupi club competition.

Elsewhere the side has a familiar look to it with most of the group that traveled to Germany and Portugal in November present. Among those recalled are veteran Curitiba duo Vitor Ancina and Felipe Tissot, both of whom return for the first time since last year’s ARC along with Pasteur lock Diego López. France-based second row Luiz ‘Monstro’ Vieira and Desterro flanker André Arruda also return having last played for Brazil against Kenya in June.

Match-winning goal kicker Moisés Duque is included as are São José teammates Felipe and Daniel Sancery. The versatility of Guilherme Coghetto is again on display as he is set to play on the wing after featuring at flyhalf during the November internationals.

FORWARDS
Alexandre Alves (Desterro), Vitor Ancina (Curitiba), Jonatas Paulo (Bandeirantes), Wilton Rebolo (São José), Matheus Rocha (Jacareí), Daniel Danielewicz (Desterro), Yan Rosetti (CUBA, AR), Diego López (Pasteur), Lucas Piero (Desterro), Felipe Tissot (Curitiba), Luiz Vieira (Villefranche, FR), André Arruda (Desterro), Arthur Bergo (SPAC), João Luiz da Ros (Desterro), Matheus Daniel (Jacareí), Nick Smith (capt., SPAC)

BACKS
Beukes Cremer (Poli), Matheus Cruz (Jacareí), Moisés Duque (São José), Josh Reeves (Jacareí), Felipe Sancery (São José), Luan Smanio (Desterro), De Wet van Niekerk (Bandeirantes), Guilherme Coghetto (Desterro), Stefano Giantorno (Niteroí), Daniel Sancery (São José)