2019 ARC Preview – Brazil

Two months after Os Tupis made headlines for their game against the Maori All Blacks, the Brazilians are looking to continue their rise. The goal is for Brazil to qualify for RWC 2023, an accomplishment which would be extraordinary.

 

2018 ARC

Brazil has had a heavy investment in the test side. This has brought in abundantly clear results based on the results against Chile since the creation of the ARC and before it. Last year’s results continued this as Brazil began with a 16-14 away win over Los Cóndores. It would be their only win of the tournament as Canada, and the USA both noted up bis home wins while Uruguay and the Argentina XV did enough to win their matches.

 

RECENT FORM

Brazil was disappointed in losing against both Uruguay and the Argentina XV. In both matches Os Tupis were seriously troubling the underdogs. When Brazil next played the results would be different as a massive shock wave was send to UAR headquarters as Brazil completed a 36-33 win over the Argentina XV. Brazil also deleted Chile 28-12 and Colombia 67-5 to become inaugural champions of the Sudamérica 6 Naciones A tournament.

In August Brazil wrote further history, downing Georgia ‘A’ 20-18. It was the second of as many matches in the Summer Cup. In their prior match Brazil played against a rare opponent in Top 14 side Racing 92. The Parisians were 45-7 winners.

The Summer Cup was a replacement tour for Brazil who missed out on competing in the June Internationals. In November they would end their year. They did so by earning respect against the Maori All Blacks in a match they lost 35-3. Few remember the score as Brazil’s scrum sent the Maori backwards and a record crowd of 34,000 were in attendance.

For Os Tupis the year officially ended later in November in Argentina. Brazil toured the northern provinces of Tucumán and Salta, losing by scoirelinmes of 34-31 and 30-29.

 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The stars against the Maori All Blacks were the front row of Lucas Abud, Wilton Rebolo, and Jardel Vettorato. Their work in the scrum was exceptional. Brazil will be looking for a solid platform in the ARC with that trio being central to this.

Brazil’s progress during the ARC era has featured vast improvement among the backs. There is no argument that the current generation of players is the best Brazil has ever had. The forwards have been tremendous as have the backs. Moisés Duque has been a constant performer throughout his career; Josh Reeves has added greatly to play as Brazil’s fly half while the twins, Felipe Sancery and Daniel Sancery, add tremendous finishing abilities.

 

VERDICT

Brazil enter the ARC as the no 5 seeds. They are justifiably ranked above Chile but are not in touch with the USA, Argentina XV, Uruguay, or Canada. Yet there is hope for two wins based on Canada missing a vast supply of players for their opening matches in South America against Uruguay and Brazil.

 

FIXTURES

DATE	LOCAL	ET	OPPONENT	VENUE
Sat, Feb 2	17:00	15:00	Argentina XV	Neuquén RC, Neuquén
Sat, Feb 9	20:15	17:15	Canada	Estádio Pereira, São José dos Campos
Sat, Feb 23	19:10	20:10	USA	Dell Diamond, Round Rock
Sat, Mar 2	18:10	16:10	Chile	tba, São Paulo
Sat, Mar 9	19:15	17:15	Uruguay	Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo

 

SQUAD

FORWARDS: Lucas Abud (Poli), Alexandre Alves (Warringah, AU), Michel Gomes (São José), Wilton Rebolo (Bandeirantes), Matheus Rocha (Jacareí), Caíque Silva (São José), Jardel Vettorato (Farrapos), Brendon Alves (Pasteur), David Müller (Belo Horizonte), Yan Rosetti (unattached), Walter Tenório (Poli), Endy Willian (Curitiba), Matteo Dell’Acqua (Reggio, IT), Kauã Guimerães (Templários), Gabriel Paganini (Bandeirantes), Lucas Piero (Desterro), Luiz Vieira (Tyrosse, FR), André Arruda (Desterro), Arthur Bergo (SPAC), Matheus Claudio (Jacareí), Cléber Dias (Poli), Michael Moraes (Curitiba)

BACKS: Lucas Duque (São José), Daniel Lima (Poli), Douglas Rauth (Curitiba), Gustavo Pompeo (MVCC, UR), Josh Reeves (Utah Warriors, US), Moisés Duque (São José), Thiago Evaristo (Curitiba), Lorenzo Massari (Parabiago, IT), Felipe Sancery (São José), Stefano Giantorno (São José), Ariel Rodrigues (Jacareí), Robert Tenório (Pasteur), De Wet van Niekerk (Poli), Felipe Sancery (São José), Lucas Tranquez (Poli)