Hello! the following piece will be solely written in English, as the Portuguese version will come out in Fair Play (www.fairplay.pt)
Olá, o artigo em português sairá no Fair Play com uma análise mais detalhada em certos aspectos do jogo
We are just 15 days away from the start of the World Rugby Repechage Tournament, and Patrice Lagisquet, helped by Luís Pissarra and João Mirra, has selected the team that will try to earn the last RWC ticket.
For those who are not so familiarized with all the players, let’s breakdown the team selected to represent “Os Lobos” this November
Playing in Portugal:
António Santos (Prop)
António Prim (Prop)
David Costa (Prop)
Duarte Diniz (Hooker)
Duarte Torgal (Lock)
José R. Andrade (Lock - former Nottingham player)
Rafael Simões (utility forward)
David Wallis (flanker)
João Granate (flanker)
João Belo (scrum-half)
Pedro Lucas (scrum-half)
Jerónimo Portela (fly-half)
Tomás Appleton (centre)
Manuel C. Pinto (Wing/fullback)
Nuno Sousa Guedes (fullback)
Playing abroad:
Anthony Alves (Prop - Stade Montois/ProD2)
Diogo Ferreira (Prop - Dax Rugby/Nationale)
Francisco Fernandes (Prop - Béziers-Hérault/ProD2)
Mike Tadjer (Hooker - Perpignan/Top14)
Lionel Campergue (Hooker - Rumilly/Nationale 2)
José Madeira (Lock - Grenoble Rugby/ProD2)
Nicolás Martins (Utility forward - Angoulême/ProD2)
Steevy Cerqueira (Utility forward - Chambéry/Nationale)
Thibault Freitas (Nº8 - Floirac/Nationale2)
Samuel Marques (Scrum-half - Carcassonne/ProD2)
José Lima (Centre - Narbonne/Nationale)
Rodrigo Marta (Centre/Wing - Dax Rugby/Nationale)
Simão Bento (Wing/Fullback - Stade Montois/ProD2)
Raffaele Storti (Wing - Béziers-Hérault/ProD2)
Vincent Pinto (Wing - Pau/Top14)
Surprise omissions? Well, we can’t say that Lucas da Silva (Hooker at Brive) or Lucas Costa (flanker for Rouen Normandie) fall into that category, as none played for Portugal until this point, but could’ve been picked (in theory).
José Conde, Santboiana’s Prop (Spanish Premiership champions), could’ve been called as he is on the top of his game.
Sebastian de Chaves isn’t available to play for Portugal (there’s no info on why, so please, don’t ask), and is a shame as he could’ve replaced Jean de Sousa (who retired in June), bringing consistency, physicality, and knowledge to the pack. Cody Thomas wasn’t selected and deserved a place on the squad after starting well this season for his new club, Rouen.
Nonetheless, the biggest omission is Pedro Bettencourt… the centre didn’t slot a place in the back-line, even when he has more game time than José Lima, for example.
Surprise additions? Vincent Pinto. The winger hasn’t played one minute for Pau this season due to a hand injury, sidelining him for two and a half months. With Storti (6 tries), Cardoso Pinto (7 tries for Lusitanos), Bento (started 3 games for S. Montois), or Marta (6 tries) in super form, Vincent Pinto will start behind, even if he did well in the Rugby Europe Championship 22.
To answer your question: is this Portugal’s best setup? Yes, at this moment, this is “Os Lobos” top selection, with a small (gigantic) detail that can deliver them the dream of being in the World Cup for the 2nd time: form. Apart from Vincent Pinto, all selected players are in their best form and have shown that in the last couple of months, be it Rodrigo Marta or Raffaele Storti, Rafael Simões or Mike Tadjer, Samuel Marques, or Tomás Appleton.
But, (and there’s always a but, isn’t there), there’s a small worry for Lagisquet, at the moment: Jerónimo Portela. The insightful fly-half is back playing for the Lusitanos in the Super Cup, and he is the only “real” first five-eight in the Portuguese setup. If he picks an injury or a niggle, Patrice Lagisquet will be forced to push Samuel Marques to the 10 jerseys, or even Nuno Sousa Guedes, but neither can give the input that Portela brings to the pitch.
We will look at how Portugal can counteract the USA's strong set-piece in a future post (“Os Lobos” are more agile, quicker, witty, and have a better turnover or offloading skills for example), so let’s finish with who will start in November
Francisco Fernandes Mike Tadjer Anthony Alves
José Madeira Steevy Cerqueira
João Granate Rafael Simões David Wallis
Samuel Marques Jerónimo Portela
Tomás Appleton José Lima
Raffaele Storti Nuno Sousa Guedes Rodrigo Marta
There could be a change, though… Rodrigo Marta goes to 13, which allows Manuel Cardoso Pinto to come in. But, by doing this, Portugal can lose the aerial security that Marta brings, and Lima’s physical consistency that pressures the other side to go for a rush defense, which can give more space to the back-three to play.
“Os Lobos” will play on the 6th, 12th, and 18th of November, and we will come back before the kick-off to share some other ideas, problems, and theories.
If you have any questions or ideas, please leave a comment!
Honestly, I was a little bit disappointed with this squad. Speccialy the forwards. The replaceable props are no match against USA, and we will struggle a lot in 2nd half. Don't understand why Cody isn't there. Lucas da Silva probably didn't wanted to go, and David Costa or Duarte Diniz are a level or two below the needed standard. Lucas da Costa has, how I've read on an Instagram account, said he is not Portuguese so he doesn't count. The back's are okay, but I would have preferred Bettencourt to Lima and Dany Antunes to Vincent Pinto. At least we would have a second good kicker besides Marques. A question mark is not having a fly half replacement. Today, I would say I am less optimistic than yesterday...
Honestly, I was a little bit disappointed with this squad. Speccialy the forwards. The replaceable props are no match against USA, and we will struggle a lot in 2nd half. Don't understand why Cody isn't there. Lucas da Silva probably didn't wanted to go, and David Costa or Duarte Diniz are a level or two below the needed standard. Lucas da Costa has, how I've read on an Instagram account, said he is not Portuguese so he doesn't count. The back's are okay, but I would have preferred Bettencourt to Lima and Dany Antunes to Vincent Pinto. At least we would have a second good kicker besides Marques. A question mark is not having a fly half replacement. Today, I would say I am less optimistic than yesterday...