Brazil made history on Tuesday. As Yaras recorded a historic win over Portugal. Brazil were 10-07 at SESI Guarulhos in Greater São Paulo. The match marked the beginning of international Women’s competition between Brazil and Portugal.
The match was also the first time in which As Yaras took to the field against a European opponent in fifteen years. The previous time was in 2008 against the Netherlands. This is in part a reflection of Brazil giving priority to Rugby Sevens for the Women’s game.
With an eye to Rugby World Cup Qualifiers for the 2023 Women’s Rugby World Cup, As Yaras returned to the test arena in 2019. Fast forward to 2023 and Brazil’s win over Portugal represents a massive step forward towards the dream of a World Cup debut.
As Yaras started strongly. With possession in Portuguese territory, the Brazilians won a kickable penalty. Amazonian Winger Lohana Valente opened the scoring.
As Lobas hit-back with what would be their only score of the match. Hooker Inês Marques scored to claim the lead. It was short-lived, however, as N8 and captain Íris Coluna restored Brazil’s lead with a try late in the half. It was converted for a 10-7 half-time lead.
Neither side scored points in the second-half. The teams have a short turn-around before taking to the field again. The second test match will again be played at SESI Guarulhos. The teams will play again on Saturday, November 25.
SCORING
BRAZIL (10)
Try – Í Coluna
Con – L Valente
Pen – L Valente
PORTUGAL (7)
Try – I Marques
Con – D Correia
TEAMS
BRAZIL
1 Patricia Lima, 2 Tainá Amorim, 3 Franciele Barros, 4 Eshyllen Coimbra, 5 Maria Eduarda Silva, 6 Natália Member, 7 Letícia Madeiros, 8 Íris Coluna (capt.), 9 Aline Momberg, 10 Fernanda Tenório, 11 Isadora Lopes, 12 Cláudia Teles, 13 Carolyne Pereira, 14 Lohana Valente, 15 Patrícia Bodeman
Replacements: 16 Júlia Leni, 17 Alessandra Lima, 18 Isabela Gomes, 19 Suzana Rodrigues, 20 Camilla Isis Carvalho, 21 Letícia Olivares, 22 Larissa Alves, 23 Paula Sarmento
PORTUGAL
1 Elsa Santos, 2 Inês Marques, 3 Beatriz Rodrigues, 4 Ana Freire, 5 Mario Mazer, 6 Laura Pereira, 7 Arlete Gonçalves, 8 Sara Oliveira, 9 Leonor Amaral, 10 Beatriz Oliveira, 11 Antónia Martins, 12 Maria João Costa, 13 Mariana Marques, 14 Inês Spínola, 15 Daniela Correira
Replacements: 16 Carlota Torres, 17 Maria Teixeira, 18 Claire Sanchez, 19 Ana Fernandes, 20 Maria Morant, 21 Ana Santos, 22 Chloe Costa, 23 Mariana Santos