Portugal national rugby union team
Encyclopedia
The Portugal national rugby union team is a third tier rugby union
side representing Portugal
. They first played in 1935 and now compete in the European Nations Cup
. Rugby union in Portugal is administered by the Federação Portuguesa de Rugby
. Portugal qualified for their first Rugby World Cup
in 2007. Portugal was in Pool C along with New Zealand, Italy
, Romania
and Scotland
. They are nicknamed Os Lobos Portuguese for "the wolves".
Portugal have experienced unprecedented success in recent years. They were surprise winners of the 2003–04 European Nations Cup
and have continued to record impressive results, although they could only finish third in the 2005–06 event. The IRB Sevens World Series
circuit has allowed the Portuguese players to demonstrate their competence to the wider rugby world. In 2006–07 Portugal competed at every IRB
sevens event for the first time.
. Portugal lost the game by a single point, 6–5. They played Spain again the following year with Spain winning 16–9. Portugal had more regular competition from the mid-1960s, and won their first game in 1966, defeating Spain 9 to 3. Portugal played Italy
for the first time in 1967, losing 6–3. They also had their first match against Romania
soon after and lost by 40 points. They defeated Belgium
in 1968, and also played Morocco
for the first time.
The first game of 1970s turned out to be a draw against the Netherlands
. Portugal managed to draw with Italy (nil all) in 1972 and following that, defeated them 9–6 in 1973. After a number of mixed results throughout the early 1970s, Portugal won five matches in a row from 1979 through to 1981. They played Morocco, who won the encounter. After a 1983 draw against Spain, Portugal managed a seven game winning streak from 1984 to 1985, including wins over Belgium
, Denmark
, Morocco, Czechoslovakia, Poland
and Zimbabwe
. The first Rugby World Cup
was held in 1987, though it was by invitation, thus there was no qualifying tournament.
, but lost to Spain, advancing into Round 2. Here Wales
defeated them, and they lost to Spain.
Portugal began play in Pool 3 of Round B in the European qualifying competition for the 1999 Rugby World Cup
. Portugal won all their group matches except for the one against Spain, but still finished second in the group, which took them into Pool 3 of Round C. All games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland. Portugal lost 85–11 to Scotland
, and 21–17 to Spain. Both nations went through to the World Cup and Portugal went into repechage. Here Portugal lost a home and away series to Uruguay
.
in Pool A of Round 3 of the European qualifying tournament. They were grouped with Spain and Poland. Each nation only won one game, though on for and against Portugal finished second to Spain. Portugal were knocked out of competition. In 2003–04 Portugal won the European Nations Cup, losing only one match to win their first championship. In 2004 Professor Tomaz Morais, coach of the Portuguese national team at both sevens and fifteen aside, was nominated for the IRB's coach of the year award. This was a remarkable achievement for a coach from a third tier rugby nation. Morais has been credited with much of Portugal's progress in recent years.
In 2006 it was announced that Portugal would receive a grant from the IRB to help develop their rugby to Tier 2 standard. Few details have been released thus far regarding how the money will be spent but it is hoped it will ensure that Portuguese rugby will be able to move onto the next level. In 2006 the inaugural IRB Nations Cup was hosted in Lisbon. The tournament featured Portugal, Russia
, Argentina A
and Italy A
. It is anticipated that this will become an annual event and another medium through which the Portuguese team can develop their skills.
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Portugal began their qualification campaign for the 2007 Rugby World Cup
(hosted by France
) in 2004, as part of the European Nations Cup Division 1 2004–06 tournament. They won their first match, defeating Ukraine
6–36 away. They then went onto defeat Georgia
18 to 14 in Lisbon in their second match, and then won their third match against the Czech Republic
, and went onto defeated Russia as well, but then lost to Romania. Portugal then drew with Russia 19-all, and then lost to Georgia. After a loss to Romania and a win against the Czech Republic, Portugal finished third overall in the standings, and qualified for Round 5.
Round 5 was played in October 2006 as a three match series between Italy, Russia and Portugal. Both Portugal and Russia lost heavily in their matches against Italy, who easily qualified for the finals. Second place came down to the final match of the round in Lisbon. Portugal won the match 26 to 23 to make it to Round 6. Round 6 was a home and away series against the Round 5 Pool B winners, Georgia. Portugal lost the first match, but drew 11-all in the second meeting. Georgia went through to the finals, and Portugal entered the repechage round where they defeated Morocco 26–20 on aggregate. The team then faced Uruguay for the last position in the finals.
The first leg of the two-match Repechage series was played in Lisbon. Portugal won 12 points to 5, taking a seven point lead into the final game in Montevideo. Portugal lost 18 points to 12, however, on aggregate, they won by just a single point, 24 to 23, sending them to their first ever World Cup. They went to Pool C, alongside favourites the All Blacks
, Italy, Romania and Scotland. Having qualified for their first World Cup, several players were subsequently arrested in the ensuing celebrations as a result of an altercation with local police. No charges were laid and the players involved were allowed to leave Uruguay.
and Romania
. Portugal team were celebrated for their commitment and passion, and for being the only amateur team to make it to the World Cup.
and Rui Cordeiro
, and achieved only one win over Czech Republic
in the final round of the European Nations Cup
tournament, finishing in 5th place, their worst result since 2002.
On 1 November 2008 they lost at home against Canada
21–13, in a recent friendly game. Tomás Morais to face the upcoming edition of the Six Nations B, that also qualifies for the 2011 Rugby World Cup
finals, had New Zealander Murray Henderson
assigned as assistant coach.
Portugal missed the second presence at the Rugby World Cup
finals, after two surprising losses at home with Georgia (10–16) and Romania (9–20), which the "Lobos" had previously defeated 22–21 abroad. Portugal thus missed the 3rd place that would have granted access to the Rugby World Cup repechage.
Tomaz Morais was replaced by New Zealand coach Errol Brain
, in October 2010, with a three years contract.
(*) Matches against full national sides only
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
side representing Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. They first played in 1935 and now compete in the European Nations Cup
European Nations Cup (rugby union)
The European Nations Cup is the European Championship for tier 2 and tier 3 rugby union nations. The Championship is split into 7 divisions with 5 or 6 teams in each. The divisions play on a two-year cycle with the teams playing each other both home and away...
. Rugby union in Portugal is administered by the Federação Portuguesa de Rugby
Federação Portuguesa de Rugby
The Portuguese Rugby Federation is the governing body for rugby union in Portugal. It was founded in 1926 and became affiliated to the International Rugby Board in 1988...
. Portugal qualified for their first Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
in 2007. Portugal was in Pool C along with New Zealand, Italy
Italy national rugby union team
The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
, Romania
Romania national rugby union team
The Romania national rugby union team , nicknamed The Oaks , is the representative side of Romania in rugby union. Long considered one of the stronger European teams outside the Six Nations, they have participated in all six Rugby World Cups, and currently compete in the first division of the...
and Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
. They are nicknamed Os Lobos Portuguese for "the wolves".
Portugal have experienced unprecedented success in recent years. They were surprise winners of the 2003–04 European Nations Cup
European Nations Cup (rugby union)
The European Nations Cup is the European Championship for tier 2 and tier 3 rugby union nations. The Championship is split into 7 divisions with 5 or 6 teams in each. The divisions play on a two-year cycle with the teams playing each other both home and away...
and have continued to record impressive results, although they could only finish third in the 2005–06 event. The IRB Sevens World Series
IRB Sevens World Series
The IRB Sevens World Series, known officially as the HSBC Sevens World Series as of the 2010-11 season, through sponsorship from banking group HSBC, and also sometimes called the World Sevens Series, is a series of international rugby union sevens tournaments organised for the first time in the...
circuit has allowed the Portuguese players to demonstrate their competence to the wider rugby world. In 2006–07 Portugal competed at every IRB
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
sevens event for the first time.
Early
Portugal played their first ever rugby international in April 1935 against SpainSpain national rugby union team
The Spain national rugby union team are a national sporting side of Spain, representing them at rugby union. Spain have been playing rugby since the late 1920s, playing their first international against Italy in 1929. They have qualified for one Rugby World Cup, in 1999 where they were pooled with...
. Portugal lost the game by a single point, 6–5. They played Spain again the following year with Spain winning 16–9. Portugal had more regular competition from the mid-1960s, and won their first game in 1966, defeating Spain 9 to 3. Portugal played Italy
Italy national rugby union team
The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
for the first time in 1967, losing 6–3. They also had their first match against Romania
Romania national rugby union team
The Romania national rugby union team , nicknamed The Oaks , is the representative side of Romania in rugby union. Long considered one of the stronger European teams outside the Six Nations, they have participated in all six Rugby World Cups, and currently compete in the first division of the...
soon after and lost by 40 points. They defeated Belgium
Belgium national rugby union team
The Belgium national rugby union team represents the third tier rugby playing nation of Belgium. They first played in 1930 and have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup. Rugby union in Belgium is administered by the Belgian Rugby Federation...
in 1968, and also played Morocco
Morocco national rugby union team
The Morocco national rugby union team are a national sporting side, representing Morocco in rugby union. The team is also known as the Atlas Lions. Morocco is governed by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Rugby. Morocco competes in the Africa Cup annually. The team has won the competition in 2003...
for the first time.
The first game of 1970s turned out to be a draw against the Netherlands
Netherlands national rugby union team
The Netherlands national rugby union team are a national sporting side of the Netherlands, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1930.-History:...
. Portugal managed to draw with Italy (nil all) in 1972 and following that, defeated them 9–6 in 1973. After a number of mixed results throughout the early 1970s, Portugal won five matches in a row from 1979 through to 1981. They played Morocco, who won the encounter. After a 1983 draw against Spain, Portugal managed a seven game winning streak from 1984 to 1985, including wins over Belgium
Belgium national rugby union team
The Belgium national rugby union team represents the third tier rugby playing nation of Belgium. They first played in 1930 and have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup. Rugby union in Belgium is administered by the Belgian Rugby Federation...
, Denmark
Denmark national rugby union team
The Denmark National Rugby Union Team represents Denmark in the sport of rugby union. They are governed by Dansk Rugby Union and have been playing international rugby since 1949.DRU now has nearly 2,500 members in more than 30 clubs.-History:...
, Morocco, Czechoslovakia, Poland
Poland national rugby union team
The Poland national rugby union team represent Poland at the international level of rugby union. They are governed by Polski Związek Rugby and have been participating in international rugby since 1958. Poland have yet to play in a Rugby World Cup...
and Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe national rugby union team
The Zimbabwe national rugby union team is the rugby union team representing Zimbabwe. They are considered to be a third tier rugby union nation...
. The first Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
was held in 1987, though it was by invitation, thus there was no qualifying tournament.
1990s
From 1989 to 1990, the 1991 World Cup qualifiers were held for the European nations. Portugal started in Round 2b in October 1989. They defeated Czechoslovakia 15 to 13 in Ricant to advance to Round 2c. However here they were defeated by the Netherlands 32 to 3 and eliminated from qualifying. Portugal again participated in the 1995 World Cup qualifying competition for European teams, starting in Round 1. They were pooled in the West Group, and defeated Belgium and SwitzerlandSwitzerland national rugby union team
The Swiss national rugby union team is a member of the FIRA - Association of European Rugby and plays in the 3A division of the European Nations Cup. Thus far Switzerland have not qualified for a Rugby World Cup.-History:...
, but lost to Spain, advancing into Round 2. Here Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
defeated them, and they lost to Spain.
Portugal began play in Pool 3 of Round B in the European qualifying competition for the 1999 Rugby World Cup
1999 Rugby World Cup
The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, and the first to be held in rugby union's professional era. The principal host nation was Wales, although the majority of matches were played outside the country, shared between England, France, Scotland and Ireland...
. Portugal won all their group matches except for the one against Spain, but still finished second in the group, which took them into Pool 3 of Round C. All games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland. Portugal lost 85–11 to Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
, and 21–17 to Spain. Both nations went through to the World Cup and Portugal went into repechage. Here Portugal lost a home and away series to Uruguay
Uruguay national rugby union team
The Uruguay national rugby union team is the representative side of Uruguay, governed by the Unión de Rugby del Uruguay. They have been playing international rugby since 1948. Their jersey is blue and black and they are known as Los Teros. They qualified twice for the Rugby World Cup, in 1999 and...
.
2000s
In 2002 Portugal began playing for a place in the 2003 Rugby World Cup2003 Rugby World Cup
The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World...
in Pool A of Round 3 of the European qualifying tournament. They were grouped with Spain and Poland. Each nation only won one game, though on for and against Portugal finished second to Spain. Portugal were knocked out of competition. In 2003–04 Portugal won the European Nations Cup, losing only one match to win their first championship. In 2004 Professor Tomaz Morais, coach of the Portuguese national team at both sevens and fifteen aside, was nominated for the IRB's coach of the year award. This was a remarkable achievement for a coach from a third tier rugby nation. Morais has been credited with much of Portugal's progress in recent years.
In 2006 it was announced that Portugal would receive a grant from the IRB to help develop their rugby to Tier 2 standard. Few details have been released thus far regarding how the money will be spent but it is hoped it will ensure that Portuguese rugby will be able to move onto the next level. In 2006 the inaugural IRB Nations Cup was hosted in Lisbon. The tournament featured Portugal, Russia
Russia national rugby union team
The Russian National Rugby Union Team, is the national team representing Russia at the sport of rugby union.Rugby union in Russia is administered by the Rugby Union of Russia . The RUR is the official successor union of the Soviet Union and the combined CIS team which played in the early 1990s...
, Argentina A
Argentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
and Italy A
Italy national rugby union team
The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
. It is anticipated that this will become an annual event and another medium through which the Portuguese team can develop their skills.
2007 World Cup qualifying
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
(hosted by France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) in 2004, as part of the European Nations Cup Division 1 2004–06 tournament. They won their first match, defeating Ukraine
Ukraine national rugby union team
The Ukraine national rugby union team represents Ukraine at the sport of rugby union. Ukraine have been playing international rugby union since the early 1990s. So far they have not qualified for a Rugby World Cup. They participate in the European Nations Cup....
6–36 away. They then went onto defeat Georgia
Georgia national rugby union team
The Georgia national rugby union team represents Georgia in rugby union. The team's nickname, The Lelos, comes from lelo burti, a traditional Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Lelo has been adopted as the Georgian word for "try"...
18 to 14 in Lisbon in their second match, and then won their third match against the Czech Republic
Czech Republic national rugby union team
The Czech Republic national rugby union team is the third tier rugby national team of the Czech Republic.They first started playing as the Czech Republic in 1993 after the split of Czechoslovakia and now compete in the European Nations Cup. They have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup, but...
, and went onto defeated Russia as well, but then lost to Romania. Portugal then drew with Russia 19-all, and then lost to Georgia. After a loss to Romania and a win against the Czech Republic, Portugal finished third overall in the standings, and qualified for Round 5.
Round 5 was played in October 2006 as a three match series between Italy, Russia and Portugal. Both Portugal and Russia lost heavily in their matches against Italy, who easily qualified for the finals. Second place came down to the final match of the round in Lisbon. Portugal won the match 26 to 23 to make it to Round 6. Round 6 was a home and away series against the Round 5 Pool B winners, Georgia. Portugal lost the first match, but drew 11-all in the second meeting. Georgia went through to the finals, and Portugal entered the repechage round where they defeated Morocco 26–20 on aggregate. The team then faced Uruguay for the last position in the finals.
The first leg of the two-match Repechage series was played in Lisbon. Portugal won 12 points to 5, taking a seven point lead into the final game in Montevideo. Portugal lost 18 points to 12, however, on aggregate, they won by just a single point, 24 to 23, sending them to their first ever World Cup. They went to Pool C, alongside favourites the All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
, Italy, Romania and Scotland. Having qualified for their first World Cup, several players were subsequently arrested in the ensuing celebrations as a result of an altercation with local police. No charges were laid and the players involved were allowed to leave Uruguay.
2007 Rugby World Cup
In the 2007 Rugby world cup, Portugal were anticipated to be crushed by their fellow nations, particularly in their match with New Zealand. Nevertheless, Portugal played competitively, highlights include preventing Italy getting a bonus point as compared to losing by 83–0 before the tournament, scoring a try against the All Blacks and coming within a try of beating Romania before losing 14–10. They also managed to score in all the four games, unlike ScotlandScotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
and Romania
Romania national rugby union team
The Romania national rugby union team , nicknamed The Oaks , is the representative side of Romania in rugby union. Long considered one of the stronger European teams outside the Six Nations, they have participated in all six Rugby World Cups, and currently compete in the first division of the...
. Portugal team were celebrated for their commitment and passion, and for being the only amateur team to make it to the World Cup.
Aftermath of the World Cup: 2007–11
After the World Cup, Portugal faced some problems, including the end of the international career or of the career of several key players, like Joaquim FerreiraJoaquim Ferreira
Joaquim Vaz Ferreira is a former Portuguese rugby union footballer.-Career:The Portuguese prop played all his career for CDUP, since he was 17 years old. He is currently the most capped player from his country, having played 84 games for Portugal national team, with 3 tries scored, 15 points in...
and Rui Cordeiro
Rui Cordeiro
Rui Pedro Godinho Cordeiro was a Portuguese rugby union footballer. He has a degree in veterinary medicine....
, and achieved only one win over Czech Republic
Czech Republic national rugby union team
The Czech Republic national rugby union team is the third tier rugby national team of the Czech Republic.They first started playing as the Czech Republic in 1993 after the split of Czechoslovakia and now compete in the European Nations Cup. They have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup, but...
in the final round of the European Nations Cup
European Nations Cup (rugby union)
The European Nations Cup is the European Championship for tier 2 and tier 3 rugby union nations. The Championship is split into 7 divisions with 5 or 6 teams in each. The divisions play on a two-year cycle with the teams playing each other both home and away...
tournament, finishing in 5th place, their worst result since 2002.
On 1 November 2008 they lost at home against Canada
Canada national rugby union team
The Canada national rugby union team represents Canada in international rugby union. They are governed by Rugby Canada, and play in red and black. Canada is classified by the International Rugby Board as a tier two rugby nation. There are ten tier one nations, and seven tier two nations, the...
21–13, in a recent friendly game. Tomás Morais to face the upcoming edition of the Six Nations B, that also qualifies for the 2011 Rugby World Cup
2011 Rugby World Cup
The 2011 Rugby World Cup was the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. The International Rugby Board selected New Zealand as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa at a meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005...
finals, had New Zealander Murray Henderson
Murray Henderson (Rugby Coach)
Murray Henderson was a New Zealand rugby union player and is a current coach. He had a successful rugby union playing career including provincial and national representation. He is now a professional rugby coach, coaching club, university and national sides.-Early career:Henderson joined the New...
assigned as assistant coach.
Portugal missed the second presence at the Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
finals, after two surprising losses at home with Georgia (10–16) and Romania (9–20), which the "Lobos" had previously defeated 22–21 abroad. Portugal thus missed the 3rd place that would have granted access to the Rugby World Cup repechage.
Tomaz Morais was replaced by New Zealand coach Errol Brain
Errol Brain
Errol F. Brain is a former New Zealand rugby union player and a current coach. He played as back-row.Brain had more than 100 caps for Counties Manukau. He played for Auckland Blues and Waikato Chiefs , in New Zealand, and Valence d'Agen , in France...
, in October 2010, with a three years contract.
European Nations Cup
| Year(s) | GP | W | D | L | +/- | Pts | Pos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 65-97 | 5 | 4th |
| 2001 2001 European Nations Cup First Division The 2001 European Nations Cup was the second annual competition for tier 2 & 3 European Rugby Union nations. The competition was originally planned to continue on an annual basis like the Six Nations but at the end of the season it was decided to change to a two year cycle allowing home & away... |
5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 77-165 | 7 | 5th |
| 2001–02 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 170-295 | 16 | 5th |
| 2003–04 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 245-180 | 28 | 1st |
| 2004–06 2004-2006 European Nations Cup First Division The 2004-2006 European Nations Cup doubled up as an element of qualification for the Rugby World Cup 2007. Ukraine replaced Spain as Champions of Division 2A.-Table:- Results of 2004-2005 Sesason... |
10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 193-173 | 23 | 3rd |
| 2006–08 2006-2008 European Nations Cup First Division The European Nations Cup First Division is the sixth edition of the so called Six Nations B, since its launch in 2000.The ENC is played over two years during which all teams meet each other home and away. The games are usually played in February and March during the Six Nations Championship, and... |
10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 174-196 | 16 | 5th |
| 2008–10 2008-2010 European Nations Cup First Division The 2008–10 European Nations Cup First Division was the 7th edition of the championship since it was reformed in 2000. The championship not only determined the champions of the ENC but it also acted as an element of European qualification for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.At present,... |
10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 255-149 | 21 | 4th |
World Cup
| Year(s) | Result |
|---|---|
| 1987 1987 Rugby World Cup The 1987 Rugby World Cup was the first Rugby World Cup. New Zealand and Australia agreed to co-host the first ever tournament with New Zealand hosting seventeen pool stage matches, two quarter-finals and the final with Australia being the junior partner hosting seven pool matches, two... |
No qualifying tournament held. |
| 1991 1991 Rugby World Cup The 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France; at that time, the five European countries that participated in the Five Nations Championship making it the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the... to 2003 2003 Rugby World Cup The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World... |
Did not qualify. |
| 2007 2007 Rugby World Cup The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,... |
Round 1. |
| 2011 2011 Rugby World Cup The 2011 Rugby World Cup was the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. The International Rugby Board selected New Zealand as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa at a meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005... |
Did not qualify. |
Current squad
Portugal squad for the 2011 IRB Nations Cup:| Position | Club | |
| Pedro Leal Pedro Leal Pedro Leal is a Portuguese international rugby player and a regular on the International Rugby Board World Sevens circuit.... |
Scrum-half |  DireitoGrupo Desportivo Direito Grupo Desportivo Direito is a Portuguese rugby union team in Lisbon. It is one of the most successful teams in Portugal, having won the National Championship 8 times, in 1998/99, 1999/00, 2001/02, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11, the Division II National Champsionhip once, in... |
| Rui Rodrigues | Scrum-half | Académica |
| Pedro Cabral | Fly-half | CDUL Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa or CDUL is a Portuguese multisports club for Lisbon's university students, including those from the University of Lisbon and others. CDUL has one of the most decorated Portuguese rugby union teams and it had four players at the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals... |
| Manuel Fonseca Costa | Fly-half | Belenenses C.F. Os Belenenses (rugby) Belenenses is a Portuguese rugby union team. Apart from winning several titles as a team, they have also provided five players to the National Team that played at the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals and which is the National Champion of the 2007/2008 season.... |
| Francisco Mira | Centre | Agronomia |
| Carl Murray | Centre | CDUL Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa or CDUL is a Portuguese multisports club for Lisbon's university students, including those from the University of Lisbon and others. CDUL has one of the most decorated Portuguese rugby union teams and it had four players at the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals... |
| Frederico Oliveira | Centre | CDUL Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa or CDUL is a Portuguese multisports club for Lisbon's university students, including those from the University of Lisbon and others. CDUL has one of the most decorated Portuguese rugby union teams and it had four players at the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals... |
| Pedro Silva | Centre | Belenenses C.F. Os Belenenses (rugby) Belenenses is a Portuguese rugby union team. Apart from winning several titles as a team, they have also provided five players to the National Team that played at the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals and which is the National Champion of the 2007/2008 season.... |
| António Aguilar | Wing | Direito Grupo Desportivo Direito Grupo Desportivo Direito is a Portuguese rugby union team in Lisbon. It is one of the most successful teams in Portugal, having won the National Championship 8 times, in 1998/99, 1999/00, 2001/02, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11, the Division II National Champsionhip once, in... |
| Adérito Esteves | Wing | Direito Grupo Desportivo Direito Grupo Desportivo Direito is a Portuguese rugby union team in Lisbon. It is one of the most successful teams in Portugal, having won the National Championship 8 times, in 1998/99, 1999/00, 2001/02, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11, the Division II National Champsionhip once, in... |
| Gonçalo Foro Gonçalo Foro Gonçalo Gonçalves Foro is a Portuguese rugby union footballer. He plays as a wing and as a centre. Currently he's a member of CDUL squad.... |
Wing | CDUL Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa or CDUL is a Portuguese multisports club for Lisbon's university students, including those from the University of Lisbon and others. CDUL has one of the most decorated Portuguese rugby union teams and it had four players at the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals... |
| Francisco Serra | Fullback | Académica |
| Position | Club | |
| João Correia João Correia João Gonçalves Correia is a Portuguese rugby union player. He plays as a hooker. He currently is a member of Direito... (c) Captain (sports) In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field... |
Hooker | Direito Grupo Desportivo Direito Grupo Desportivo Direito is a Portuguese rugby union team in Lisbon. It is one of the most successful teams in Portugal, having won the National Championship 8 times, in 1998/99, 1999/00, 2001/02, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11, the Division II National Champsionhip once, in... |
| Bernardo Duarte | Hooker | Agronomia |
| Anthony Alves | Prop |  MontaubanUS Montauban US Montauban were a French rugby union club, which competed in the Top 14 competition between 2007 and 2010, after being promoted from Rugby Pro D2 for the 2006-07 season... |
| Michael Dias | Prop |  UWICUWIC RFC UWIC Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team currently playing in the WRU Division One West. They are a modern university team. UWIC RFC are a feeder club for Cardiff Blues.-Notable former players:Inclusion criteria: Attained international caps... |
| João Junior | Prop | CDUL Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa or CDUL is a Portuguese multisports club for Lisbon's university students, including those from the University of Lisbon and others. CDUL has one of the most decorated Portuguese rugby union teams and it had four players at the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals... |
| Juan Murré | Prop |  El SalvadorCR El Salvador Club de Rugby El Salvador is a Spanish rugby union club. The club was established in 1960 and currently competes in the División de Honor de Rugby competition, the highest level of Spanish club rugby. The club are based in Valladolid in central Spain, playing their matches at the Estadio Pepe Rojo.... |
| Eduardo Acosta | Lock | Direito Grupo Desportivo Direito Grupo Desportivo Direito is a Portuguese rugby union team in Lisbon. It is one of the most successful teams in Portugal, having won the National Championship 8 times, in 1998/99, 1999/00, 2001/02, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11, the Division II National Champsionhip once, in... |
| Rui D'Orey | Lock | Direito Grupo Desportivo Direito Grupo Desportivo Direito is a Portuguese rugby union team in Lisbon. It is one of the most successful teams in Portugal, having won the National Championship 8 times, in 1998/99, 1999/00, 2001/02, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11, the Division II National Champsionhip once, in... |
| Duarte Gil | Lock | CDUL Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa or CDUL is a Portuguese multisports club for Lisbon's university students, including those from the University of Lisbon and others. CDUL has one of the most decorated Portuguese rugby union teams and it had four players at the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals... |
| João Pinheiro Paiva | Lock | Agronomia |
| Laurent Balangue | Flanker Flanker (rugby union) A flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Flankers play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside, or openside flankers; numbers six and seven respectively. The name comes from their position in a scrum in which they flank each set of forwards... |
Colomiers US Colomiers US Colomiers is a French rugby union club currently competing in Fédérale 1, the third level of the French rugby pyramid. They had been relegated from Pro D2 after finishing last in the 2006-07 season, but earned promotion from Fédérale 1 at the first opportunity in 2007-08, and survived a... |
| Jacques Le Roux | Flanker Flanker (rugby union) A flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Flankers play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside, or openside flankers; numbers six and seven respectively. The name comes from their position in a scrum in which they flank each set of forwards... |
Agronomia |
| Vasco Uva Vasco Uva Vasco Nuno Barata Sousa Uva is a Portuguese rugby union player. He plays as a number eight. In Portugal he played for Grupo Desportivo Direito, until he was assigned, in January 2008 for the professional team of Montpellier Hérault RC, in France.He took his Law degree at the Catholic University of... |
Flanker Flanker (rugby union) A flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Flankers play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside, or openside flankers; numbers six and seven respectively. The name comes from their position in a scrum in which they flank each set of forwards... |
Direito Grupo Desportivo Direito Grupo Desportivo Direito is a Portuguese rugby union team in Lisbon. It is one of the most successful teams in Portugal, having won the National Championship 8 times, in 1998/99, 1999/00, 2001/02, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11, the Division II National Champsionhip once, in... |
| Juan Severino Juan Severino Somoza Juan Severino Somoza is an Argentine-born Portuguese rugby union footballer. He plays as a lock or as a flanker.He was a member of Agronomia team, winning the title of National Champion in 2006/2007... |
Number eight | Agronomia |
Individual records
The record for points scored for Portugal is 231, held by Gonçalo Malheiro. Malheiro also holds the records for most conversions (23), penalties (36) and drop goals (14). The record for most tries is held by two players, António Aguilar and Diogo Mateus, with 12 tries. Joaquim Ferreira holds the record for most matches played (84) and most matches in the starting XV (79). Duarte Cardoso Pinto has the record for most matches as a substitute, with 21 subs. Bernardo Duarte holds the record for most matches as a substitute, without ever playing in the starting XV (8).Overall
Portugal test match record against all nations, updated to 21 June 2011, is as follows:| Nation | Games | Won | Lost | Drawn | Percentage of wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100% | |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.3% | |
| Barbarians | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 60% | |
| 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0% | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | |
| 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 100% | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | |
| XV | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0% |
| 15 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 26.6% | |
| 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 80% | |
| 12 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 8.3% | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| 14 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 50% | |
| 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 10% | |
| 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 66.6% | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | |
| 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 60% | |
| 17 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 17.6% | |
| 13 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 38.4% | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | |
| XV | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 66.6% | |
| 31 | 9 | 21 | 2 | 15.6% | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | |
 South African KingsSouthern Kings The Southern Kings are a South African rugby union franchise. The franchise was formally announced at the opening of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 16 June 2009, in time to coincide with the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.... |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 100% | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100% | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | |
| 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 33.3% | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100% | |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0% | |
| 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 28.5% | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.3% | |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.3% | |
| Total(*) | 205 | 87 | 106 | 12 | 42.4% |
(*) Matches against full national sides only
External links
Federação Portuguesa de Rugby Official Site- World Cup Preview
- Portugal on RugbyData.com