Dubai: Olympics hosts and special invitees Brazil may have lost all their games at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, but coach Andres Romagnoli was just happy for the experience.
Os Tupis started their sevens programme just six months ago in a hurried bid to prepare for their role as hosts of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where rugby will make its Olympics debut.
The Dubai Rugby Sevens was only their second taste of international competition after the Las Vegas Sevens in 2012, and, despite a predictable run of defeats, Romagnoli took heart from his side’s display. “The first day was good, because I think we got involved in all three group games,” he said of Pool A defeats to Argentina 17-5, Fiji 36-5 and France 24-14 on Friday. On Saturday, Brazil went on to lose the bowl quarter-final 19-0 to Portugal before losing the shield semi-final 22-7 to Kenya.
“I think on the second day, the players felt tired,” he added. “The first day had been too hard and on day two, their legs were aching and breathing was a little difficult. But I’m very happy because the players had a chance to feel where we are and where we have to go.”
Brazil now have invites to the Las Vegas and London Sevens later in the season, and could still qualify for the Hong Kong Sevens. “These experiences are important for us to feel what it’s like to play in a competitive tournament,” he said. “Our players have to understand what it’s like to play under pressure.”
Romagnoli said another way to fast-track the squad’s development would be to groom overseas players of Brazilian heritage, a strategy that has already reaped rewards with players coming over from England, Australia and Argentina to train.
“We haven’t got a big pool of players and their level is not too high. Their home competition is not very good, so one of the ideas to be competitive more quickly is to look abroad for players.
“Our target is to be competitive at the Olympics. We were competitive today and I think in a few months’ time we have to start to win some matches in order to be competitive for 2016. If we keep training hard and using opportunities to gain experience like these, we will improve,” he added.
