New coach Coghetto bloods twelve debutants as Brazil's Yaras sweep Colombia twice

Brazil’s women’s rugby team swept Colombia in two warm-up fixtures in São José de Campos, winning 32-20 and 19-10, as new head coach Guilherme Coghetto used the series to test fresh personnel and new tactical ideas ahead of the WXV Global Series Challenger in September.

Coghetto, a former Brazil international who served as an assistant at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, took charge after Emiliano Caffera departed the role. At his first press conference he set out a clear four-year vision. “Our goal for 2026 is to build a gameplay and a team culture that showcases who we are, as we want to reach the World Cup qualifiers in great shape,” he said. “That’s the key goal for us right now.”

Because Brazil fielded their ‘A’ side — the Yaras XV — rather than the full senior squad, no World Rugby ranking points were at stake. Even so, ten players with Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 experience featured, including veteran fly-half Raquel Kochann and scrum half Luiza Campos. Twelve players made their debut for a Brazilian representative side, among them Adriana Felix, Adryenne Lima, Emi da Silva, Gabriela Alves, Geovanna Pereira, Juliana da Silva, Laryssa Barbosa, Letícia da Silva, Monalisa Machado, Nicoly Viana, and Sofia Mendez.

The first match was tighter than the scoreline suggests. Brazil led by only four points at half-time as Colombia’s Tucanes XV competed hard in every area and looked the more cohesive unit early on. The Yaras XV’s superior conditioning proved decisive in the second half, however, as they added four further tries to pull clear. Colombia still managed two late scores to make the final stages uncomfortable for the hosts.

Winger Thalita Costa was among the standout performers, scoring once and creating several moments that caught the Colombian defence off guard. Kochann’s direction from fly-half gave the backline structure and threat when Brazil had possession.

With the WXV Global Series Challenger — hosted by Hong Kong China — approaching in September, the coaching staff is also keeping an eye on the squad’s longer-term shape. Coghetto acknowledged the need to identify new talent capable of stepping into the Yaras setup, with potential retirements and absences on the horizon for some established names. The two wins over Colombia represent an encouraging early step in what the new head coach has framed as a deliberate, patient rebuild.