Brazil women’s coach Will Broderick has urged his players to seize their opportunity to secure HSBC SVNS safety when they face Great Britain in a potentially pivotal pool-stage encounter in Singapore next month.
Broderick admits seeing the two teams drawn alongside each other in Pool C at Thursday’s HSBC SVNS Singapore draw “didn’t surprise me” having met twice at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at the start of April.
Great Britain won both matches at Hong Kong Stadium, including the ninth-place play-off, and have lost only once to Brazil in eight meetings. They will begin the final tournament of the regular season in eighth, two points and one place ahead of the South Americans.
Following HSBC SVNS Singapore, which runs from 3-5 May, the teams will travel to Madrid for the Grand Final, where the top eight teams will compete for the overall title and the bottom four will participate in a promotion-relegation tournament also involving the top four sides from the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024.
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The stakes, therefore, could not be higher for both Brazil and Great Britain when Singapore National Stadium plays host to a women’s series tournament for the first time.
“I think I was probably expecting it – it was meant to be,” Broderick, whose team will also play Australia and Fiji in Pool C, told World Rugby.
“I think for us it’s good. We’re trying to build a lot of resilience into the girls and make sure we’re ready for big games when we know we need to perform.
“We definitely can’t build it up too much in our heads. We’ve been guilty of that in the past and trying to focus on that instead of just focusing on one game at a time and also one play at a time.
“What’s really important is we don’t go into these big games and try to play negative rugby or try to play within ourselves.
“These big games when you know you need a result, you’ve still got to play. You’ve still got to be willing to step up.
“I’m hoping the girls are ready, and we’ve been working on that. We’ve done a lot of mental prep around these big moments and just making sure we’re not scared to make mistakes.”
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For Broderick, going to the Grand Final in Madrid as part of the top eight would be “incredible” but whatever happens in Singapore he is proud of his players.
Brazil have made the Cup quarter-finals three times in six tournaments so far this season and their coach believes they are helping to put Brazilian rugby on the map.
“I think these girls are living a moment that in itself is quite unique,” he added. “We’ve been building for a long time; it’s not come overnight.
“We’ve had tough seasons, we’ve been through quite a lot as a group as well. This group has always had a huge potential and I think what they’re doing on the field is very important for the future of Brazil rugby because they’re putting their name out there and they’re showing that Brazil is capable of competing at the top level.”
Pool C rivals Australia will travel to Singapore next month with their sights set on becoming League Winners as they bid to rediscover their best form ahead of the Grand Final in Madrid at the end of May and the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in July.
Australia are level with New Zealand at the top of the women’s standings, on 106 points, having won two titles and reached at least the Cup semi-finals in each of the six tournaments this season.
They have not scaled the top step of the podium since Cape Town in December, however, while their arch-rivals the Black Ferns Sevens – who have been drawn in Pool A alongside Canada, Ireland and Spain – have won three tournaments in a row.
“I think gaining as much momentum and success winning pressure moments is key leading into Paris,” Australia captain Charlotte Caslick said.
“Every time we play we want to win and continue to grow as a group together. Winning the regular season would be a great achievement after having a consistent season.”
Caslick’s coach Tim Walsh is looking forward to the challenges that await at Singapore National Stadium.
“We haven’t played Great Britain in a while and we’re looking forward to that match-up,” he said. “Brazil are improving every world series leg and gave us a great battle in Los Angeles.
“Fiji play a unique style and are always threatening. No doubt each team will bring their best for an event-filled and entertaining round of pool matches.”
Caslick added: “We’re so excited for the women to be a part of SVNS Singapore.
“I’ve been the last two years with HSBC and absolutely love the city. Singapore love their rugby and it has a beautiful stadium as well as great conditions for us to play in.”
