Autumn Internationals
Portugal loses against Sweden (5-7) in an Autumn International match.
Written by: Nuno Madeira do O
The best part: Portugal’s starting XV had a lot of new faces and some of the players that got the call, showed the coach João Moura that they’re valid options for what’s to come. The Lobas have a young squad, with several options for (almost) all positions and they’ve debuted eight players: Ana Fernandes, Mariana Honório, Catarina Ribeiro, Matilde Goes, Maria Branco, Cátia Almeida, Teresa Pereira, and Inês Barbosa.
The not-so-good part: It wasn’t a great rugby match, with several mistakes from both sides (knock-ons, line-outs, penalties). Portugal has to improve in some aspects of its game so it doesn’t go through the same difficulties in the future, which could cost them the promotion to the Rugby Europe Championship. It’d be a real shame to stop the (amazing) progression that the squad has made so far.
Player of the match: Portugal had several players that could have won this award. Catarina Ribeiro, besides being involved in the try, created all sorts of problems to the swedish defence and was excellent in defending herself. Yara Fonseca scored a try and was very, very close of scoring a second one, opening up a lot of gaps everytime she had the ball. However, the player of the match was Ana Freire. The Portuguese second-row was impeccable in defence, with several dominant tackles and clearing out rucks. Besides, every time she decided to run she would gain a lot of metres, even after contact, and was always ready to offload to a nearby colleague. Dominant.
It was in Jamor that Portugal hosted Sweden, in an Autumn International match where the coach João Moura tested several new options. If we compare with the match against Belgium (Rugby Europe Trophy), there were 13 changes: in first row, the only player that got the call was Beatriz Rodrigues (that moved from hooker to prop), with Inês Marques and Carlota Torres, grabbing jerseys number 2 and 3, respectively. Ana Freire and Ana Fernandes formed a new second row, with Raquel Costa, Maria Teixeira and Arlete Gonçalves playing at 6,7, and 8.
In the backs, a similar situation: Maria Vasquez and Beatriz Oliveira commanded the Portuguese orchestra from 9 and 10, whilst Matilde Gomes (11), Mariana Honório (12), Catarina Ribeiro (13) and Yara Fonseca (14), completed the new faces on the pitch. The only player to repeat the call was captain Daniela Correia who wore her usual 15.
The first 5 minutes of the match were very balanced, with both teams showing some nerves and making several mistakes. Portugal had more possession and played mostly inside the Swedish half but couldn’t create danger. Similarly to the match against Belgium, and despite having a new pack, the Portuguese scrum was very dominant and won two penalties in less than 10 minutes. In one of those occasions, Daniela Correia went for the posts but missed, keeping the match on 0-0.
We had to wait until the 19th minute to see the first points of the match: Portugal won the turnover and Beatriz Oliveira had an excellent inside pass to Matilde Goes that won several metres. Catarina Ribeiro passed to Yara Fonseca on the right wing that scored the first try of the match. Daniela Correia missed the conversion and the scoreboard moved to 5-0.
After the try, Sweden tried to gain control of the match, had more possession but couldn’t create any real danger to the Portuguese line. On the pitch, the rugby played was still quite scrappy but was (mostly) played inside the visiting team’s half. It took Sweden 40 minutes to enter Portugal’s 22 but the Lobas won a penalty on the ground and sent everyone to the changing rooms with the scoreboard showing 5-0 for the home team.
Portugal started the second half wanting to dominate and Ana Freire with two great carries showed how easy it was to disassemble the Swedish defence. However, Portugal couldn’t score and after the first 10 minutes, Sweden balanced things out a bit more. However, they were very slow off the ruck and their game was very predictable.
Despite managing to keep Sweden outside its 22, Portugal couldn’t keep possession and kept making several handling errors. At the 61st minute, after several phases, Sweden won a penalty 10m away from the try line. Kick to the corner, line-out, maul and try. Simple. Try converted and Sweden was ahead (5-7).
Two minutes later, Yara Fonseca received a pass on the right wing, got rid of two defenders and crossed the try line. However, when she was getting ready to ground the ball, two swedish defenders came to the rescue and no try was scored. It was amazing how that wasn’t a try (that would surely give Portugal the victory).
The home team didn’t give up and was doing everything possible to score. In a very lively final 5 minutes, turnovers were happening left, right and centre, and the fans on the stands kept cheering for Portugal. With the clock on red, Sweden couldn’t put the ball out and Portugal kept on attacking. Phase after phase, changing between pick and go and speed plays from the backs, the Lobas tried everything but this was one of those days where it wasn’t meant to be.
Despite the loss, it was an important match for Portugal that tested several new players which gave the squad more depth for the 2023 matches.
Linha de Ensaio spoke with fly half Beatriz Rodrigues about the match:
It was a very tight match, where it felt that, despite the loss, Portugal could have won. What are your thoughts on the match?
We knew from the beginning that it was going to be a very physical match and we tried to come on the pitch focused. We dominated the first half, even though we couldn’t translate it into points. We managed to apply our game plan, and played and expansive rugby, with supporting lines. We also had a strong scrum which helped. However, we have to provide more support to the ball carrier and not let players become isolated – we paid the price for that.
Halfway through the second half, Sweden increased the pressure and played faster, with strong collisions which gave them a try. We tried to turn things around towards the end but we didn’t manage to. It’s a bittersweet feeling because, even though we lost, we left the pitch believing in what we are creating.
Sweden plays in the Championship, where Portugal wants to be in the near future. What were the main take-home lessons you took away from the match?
Our goal is to reach the Championship! With each match, we become more experienced and get more tools to play against teams that have different game plans. This allows us to improve and to become more competitive when we face them and it wasn’t different with this match – we will become stronger because of it.
What can we wait from this team for 2023?
We will be a stonger squad, more experienced and willing to do better!
I have no doubts that this group will take Portuguese rugby to places where it hasn’t been before and we know what we need to do, both individual and collectively to reach that level. With each match, we become more demanding with ourselves and want to work harder.
