Brazil Write History in Beating Belgium

History was made by Brazil this afternoon. For the first time ever Os Tupis won a test match in Europe. Brazil wrote history by defeating Belgium 23-19 at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.

The win came despite Belgium having started the strongest, appearing to be on their way to victory. Belgium played the better of rugby throughout the opening half but fell away in the second. As was the case against Germany, Brazil were a much stronger side in the second half.

The match started badly for Brazil. Scrum-half Matheus Cruz was forced off, replaced by debutant Will Broderick. He would go on to impress in his first opportunity playing for Brazil.

It took 18 minutes for the first points of the game to be scored. It came from inside center and captain Jens Torfs. Fullback Florian Piron added the conversion.

Few scoring opportunities presented themselves in the remainder of the first half. With both teams battling it out in trench warfare it took Brazil until late in the first half to score. Os Tupis opened their account through Josh Reeves. The fly half’s penalty made it a four point deficit at half time.

Leading by example Torfs helped Belgium go 14-3 ahead early in the second half. The Perpignan mid-fielder made a clear line-break to set-up winger Craig Dowsett for a try in the 46th minute.

From there it was all-Brazil. A line-break from Broderick and assistance from Lucas Muller combined to put second-rower Cléber Dias over. The score gave Brazil the initiative with Belgium back-peddling thereafter.

Smart play for Moisés Duque added the next twist to the contest. Catching the Belgium defense out of position Duque kicked through for Felipe Sancery to dot down. As was the case with the first try Reeves failed to convert Brazil’s second.

Reeves was on target with his next opportunity. Pressure from the Brazilian forwards saw Belgium infringing and with it Reeves gave Os Tupis a 16-14 lead.

The second half was summed-up in the following sequence of play. Belgium put together a raid of 20 phases of possession. But a committed and disciplined Brazil was able to calm the storm and hold on to their lead.

Back on attack the South Americans put themselves in a position to win the match. Quick-fire passing saw winger De Wet van Niekerk scoring. It gave Brazil a healthy lead, making Belgium’s task extremely tough in the final minutes.

With time running out Dowsett was in position to score his second try. It made it a 23-19 scoreline with minimal time remaining. Brazil was able to complete the victory, doing so against a higher ranked opponent, and making history in Europe.

Brazil now travel to Spain to prepare to face Los Leones. The will play at the Villajoyosa Stadium in Alicante next Sunday.

 

SCORING

BELGIUM 19
Tries – J. Torfs (22′), C. Dowsett 2 (46′, 80′)
Cons – F. Piron 1/1 (23′), V. Hart 1/1 (47′), K. Williams 0/1
Pens – F. Piron 0/1

BRAZIL 23
Tries – C. Dias (55′), F. Sancery (60′), D. van Niekerk (75′)
Cons – J. Reeves 1/3 (76′)
Pens – J. Reeves 2/3 (27′, 66′)

 

TEAMS

BELGIUM
1 James Pearse (17 Sep de Backer 51′), 2 Thomas Dienst (16 Gianni Vercammen 66′), 3 Maxime Jadot (23 Romain Pinte 69′), 4 Bertrand Billi (18 Tuur Moelants 51′), 5 Sven D’Hooghe, 6 Gillian Benoy (19 Maxime Temmerman 62′), 7 Amin Hamzaoui, 8 Nick Cording, 9 Isaac Montoisy, 10 Vincent Hart (22 Kevin Williams 62′), 11 Craig Dowsett, 12 Jens Torfs (capt.) (20 Louis Debatty 62′), 13 Guillaume Piron, 14 Marc Tchangué, 15 Florian Piron (21 Thomas Brouillard HT)

BRAZIL
1 Lucas Abud (17 Michel Gomes 78′), 2 Yan Rosetti (capt.), 3 Pedro Bengaló (18 Caíque Silva 57′), 4 Lucas Piero, 5 Cléber Dias, 6 Arthur Bergo, 7 André Arruda, 8 Alexandre Alves (20 Matheus Daniel 44′), 9 Matheus Cruz (21 Will Broderick 17′), 10 Josh Reeves, 11 De Wet van Niekerk, 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Felipe Sancery, 14 Lucas Muller (23 Lucas Tranquez 74′), 15 Daniel Sancery

Not used: 16 Endy Willian, 19 Mauricio Canterle, 22 Leonardo Ceccarelli

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (RFU)