Match Preview – Brazil vs Portugal

Brazil return to action two months after their one-off match against the Uruguay XV on August 30 for their first test match since June. Portugal are their opponents, a country with close ties not least in language. This will be the fourth match between the two, with Brazil’s only win a 25-21 result in June 2017.

It’s a full strength Tupis selection this time with no major absentees. Rodolfo Ambrosio has opted for Yan Rosetti at hooker with Wilton Rebolo lining up at tighthead prop. A physical second row pairing of Matteo Dell’Acqua and Luiz Vieira combine with blindside flanker Cléber Dias to give Brazil a significant size advantage up front.

The backs feature Lucas Duque who is set to play in his final test for his country ahead of retirement. He partners Josh Reeves in a familiar backline with speedy youngster Daniel Lima continuing on the left wing having started his international career as a scrumhalf.

There are two uncapped players named on the bench, Piero Pozzi is one of three reserve props named with Rebolo serving as hooker cover. Scrumhalf Felipe Cunha graduates directly from the u20 side to test honors in a matter of months. Further emerging talent is present in tighthead prop Matheus Rocha, back row Matheus Claudio, and midfielder Lorenzo Massari.

Os Lobos meanwhile field a highly inexperienced team with eight debutantes named in the match day 23 by new coach Patrice Lagisquet. Three starters are only 18 years old – second row José Madeira, left winger Raffaele Storti, and fullback Simão Bento. Storti won rave reviews as the leading try scorer at the World Rugby u20 Trophy.

Other members of that team selected include flanker Helano Alberto and flyhalf Jerónimo Portela, while right winger Tomás Cabral also wins his first cap. New names on the bench include loosehead prop Lionel Rodrigues and fullback Dany Antunes. Both play their club rugby in France.

The 2017 win for the Tupis was an historic occasion but on Saturday they should be considered clear favorites. They have an advantage in virtually every category – size, experience, continuity, and home field advantage. Anything but a comfortable victory as they prepare for the Barbarians later this month should be considered a disappointment.

BRAZIL
1 Lucas Abud, 2 Yan Rosetti, 3 Wilton Rebolo, 4 Matteo Dell’Acqua, 5 Luiz Vieira, 6 Cléber Dias, 7 Arthur Bergo, 8 André Arruda, 9 Lucas Duque, 10 Josh Reeves, 11 Daniel Lima, 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Felipe Sancery (capt.), 14 Lucas Tranquez, 15 Daniel Sancery

Replacements: 16 Piero Pozzi, 17 Caíque Silva, 18 Matheus Rocha, 19 Gabriel Paganini, 20 Matheus Claudio, 21 Felipe Cunha, 22 Lorenzo Massari, 23 Robert Tenório

PORTUGAL
1 Francisco Bruno, 2 Nuno Mascarenhas, 3 Diogo Ferreira, 4 José D’Alte, 5 José Madeira, 6 Helano Alberto, 7 David Wallis, 8 Vasco Mendes, 9 João Belo, 10 Jerónimo Portela, 11 Raffaele Storti, 12 Tomás Appleton (capt.), 13 António Vidinha, 14 Tomás Cabral, 15 Simão Bento

Replacements: 16 José Moreira, 17 Lionel Rodrigues, 18 João Conde, 19 João Granate, 20 José Roque, 21 Duarte Azevedo, 22 João Maria Lima, 23 Dany Antunes

Date: Saturday, November 9
Venue: Estádio Nicolau Alayon, São Paulo
Kickoff: 14:30 local (09:30 Pacific, 12:30 Eastern)
Referee: Francisco González (Uruguay)
Assistants: Gonzalo Ventoso (Uruguay) & Victor Barboza (Brazil)
Broadcasts: SporTV2 (Brazil)