Portugal ready for ‘huge test’ against Spain as they look to continue World Cup journey that has ‘unearthed some real gems’
Portugal face Spain in the REC semi-finals on Sunday.
While the Six Nations takes centre stage on Friday and Saturday, the focus on Sunday turns to the Rugby Europe Championship semi-finals, notably Portugal v Spain.
Portugal topped Pool B with a perfect record of three bonus-point wins out of three while Spain finished second in Pool A behind Georgia, who are set to host Romania.
In a rematch of last year’s REC semi-final, the Iberian neighbours will once again collide in what promises to be a thrilling contest at Estádio do Restelo in Lisbon.
Defensive improvements
Portugal are expecting a tough match this weekend but their coaching team are excited by the progress the side has made in recent times and it’s showing on the field.
“The pool performances have been good and we have seen a big improvement in our defence,” head coach Simon Mannix told Planet Rugby. “There’s been a lot of very good work going in from all of the staff and we have definitely improved our alignment between the Portugal-based players and those involved in the French Championships.
“Portugal has developed a reputation for playing an attractive style, but we must remain pragmatic and continue our work in the so-called unseen areas of the game.”
That praise is echoed by forwards and defence coach Andi Kyriacou, who joined the international side after last year’s summer series and is pleased with the progress.
“The team has improved immensely,” he said. “We had a great period in the training camp leading into the first block of the Rugby Europe Super Cup with the Lusitanos team where we exposed 58 players to that competition and their hunger to learn and improve has been excellent. They are really buying into what we are trying to do.
“They’ve improved so much that we’ve implemented those players and have moved them into the senior squad relatively quickly with new caps coming in the autumn period for a number of players and they have really impressed us in terms of not just their ability to learn and their ability to take on new information, but also in their ability to apply that incredibly quickly over a short period of time. A lot of the players have been able to back up these performances so it’s been great to watch.”
Indeed there’s been a fresh injection of talent coming through the ranks such as loosehead Luis Lopes and number eight Jose Monterio, which has delighted the coaches.
However, there are still recognised talents like Rodrigo Marta acting as a beacon for Portugal at centre, with the 26-year-old recently picking up his 41st Test try.
“Rodrigo has confirmed he is a special talent,” Mannix praised while also singling out Sam Marques, 37, for his showing versus Belgium earlier in their pool campaign.
These experienced stars helping the youth improve is something that is evident, with Kyriacou delighted with both that and the progress the pack and defence has made.
“We’ve got older guys teaching younger guys and sharing their knowledge. So it’s been great, it has been really good and we are very happy with where they are going.
“Through that Lusitanos squad and the numbers we have exposed through that, we have unearthed some real gems and the U20s programme as well, the coaches there, they are doing a really good job bringing through the next layer too. Our alignment with that is something that we are constantly trying to keep growing and developing.
“We’re trying to give these lads a voice as well and encourage that side of things because their performances are speaking for themselves. We now want them to start speaking up and driving standards within the group as well. There is now a nice blend of experience and youth and it is really exciting to see that come together.”
Huge test
The here and now though is hosting Spain on Sunday and it’s a task that Portugal know will require their best performance possible if they are to make the REC final.
“Spain will provide a huge test for us,” stressed Mannix. “Ranked 15 in the world and a Federation that has teams performing in all categories across the World Rugby Championships, they recently had contracted 27 full-time players, allowing this progression to continue and with unlimited access to their best talent based in Spain.
“Our challenges are very different in terms of player access,” Mannix continued, highlighting the key next move in the team’s progression. “We do have a President and High Performance Manager who are working very hard to try and have the same model in Portugal. For us to continue to grow and compete, this is a very important step.”
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In terms of preparation for the semi-final, the coach revealed: “We have had a good week and the players been very invested in the work and their prep for the game.”
Kyriacou added: “Spain are dangerous, no doubt about it. They’ve got a really good programme over there. We have been deep diving into them over the last couple of weeks, looking at the number of threats that they do have, the tempo they play at, the physicality that they bring as well. You know, there’s a reason they’re where they are in the World Rugby rankings and they are always constantly trying to chase bigger fixtures. You can see that in the calendar they have put together.
“It’s going to be a big challenge, but that’s what we’re here to do. We are here to play teams that we want to beat, we want to get up the world rankings, we want to put ourselves in the best position to be ready for the World Cup. And this game’s an important challenge within our pathway to that and our journey to the World Cup.”