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Cobras Brasil XV will be one of six competitors in the 2021 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). The São Paulo-based side is Brazil’s second professional rugby team. It replaces Corinthians Rugby; the Brazilian team that competed in the 2020 SLAR. The 30-man roster contains 26 players who are Brazilian or eligibile to play for Brazil. The remainder are Argentines.
COBRAS BRASIL XV HEAD COACH
Cobras Brasil XV are coached by 44-year-old Emiliano Bergamaschi. He played as a professional in England and France beginning in 2002 for the Bristol Bears. He also played for Saracens, and for Rouen. He also was selected for his country and played in one official test match, facing the USA in 2001. His regular position was loose head prop. In 2008 Bergamaschi turned to coaching. He was an assistant coach to Daniel Hourcade with Los Pumas at RWC 2015. In the 2020 SLAR he was an assistant to Raúl Pérez at the Olímpia Lions. His role with the Brazilian side will be his first opportunity as a head coach of a professional rugby team.
CAPTAIN
Brazil’s SLAR entry are captained by Felipe Sancery. The player has been a regular in the Brazilian test team since his debut. He earned the first of his 37 caps in the 2016 Americas Rugby Championship (ARC). His perforamnces also saw him play for Brazil’s 7’s team, including at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. He went on to became captain of Os Tupis and will lead the team in this year’s RWC 2023 qualifiers.
STAR PLAYER
Os Cobras are Brazil’s test team with several Argentine players added. The one name that joined without recent test experience is Jardel Vetoratto. The 35-year-old returns from the police force to be a professional rugby player. He dedicated many years to Brazil for his 34 test caps. However, where he is arguably most remembered is his anchoring of the scrum for Brazil vs the Maori All Blacks. He and Lucas Abud got the better of their famous opposition that that day.
SMART SIGNING
The CBRu lacked the same intent of signing foreigners as some others. Nonetheless, players have been brought in from abroad to boost the Cobras’ player roster. The stand-out signing is that of Manuel Bernstein. The 20-year-old held down a starting position for Argentina u20s. He is a player with an impressive workrate and one who does the percentages very well.
ONE TO WATCH
Josh Reeves was the fly half of choice during most of the RWC 2015-2019 cycle. As soon as he was eligible, via residency, he was Brazil’s 10. However, has there now been a chaning of the guard? Lucas Spago sgtarted ahead of Reeves for international duty in 2020. He fit in well to the role. At the age of 20, Spago is a full decade younger than Reeves.
STRENGTHS
The inclusion of Abud and Vetoratto suggest that the scrum will be powerful. In André Arruda there is an excellent ball-carrying N8. The backs in general like to play open rugby, though recent years indicate that they can adjust when required with Reeves playing the percentages. This is the vital area wherein Os Cobras ought to do well in. The ability to change as required during a game has been a hallmark of Brazil over the past five years.
CONCERNS
Cobras Brazil XV is officially Brazil’s version of Los Jaguares in Super Rugby. That is to say that it is the test team all together in a professional competition. The policy caused Argentina a host of problems; many of which others ought to learn from. Moreover, the make-up of the roster raises the question as to whether there are adequate players for the Cobras to be title contenders? Has preparing for the RWC 2023 qualifiers had the dual-effect of (a) preventing sufficient foreigners from boosting the team level and (b) potentially having an unprepared test team on the back of an SLAR underwhelming season?
2021 SEASON OUTLOOK
Brazil’s level fell in 2020. The side was a success story of the RWC 2015-2019 cycle, yet in 2020 Chile was too strong for Brazil. Indications are that Cobras Brazil XV will have a hard time in claiming wins over Los Jaguares, Peñarol, and Selknam. In theory, the Brazilian side ought to have the better of the Olímpia Lions and Los Cafeteros Pro. However, this is far from certain. Stringing together wins may proove to be very challenging for the Cobras Brasil XV during the 2021 SLAR season.
For further information click here to access the ARN Súper Liga Americana de Rugby page.
