Guilherme Coghetto, the newly appointed head coach of Brazil's women's national rugby team, the Yaras, is setting his sights on the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup qualification. With the 2025 World Cup already a distant memory, the Yaras have been quietly preparing for the WXV Global Series Challenger under Coghetto's guidance. The 34-year-old coach, a former Brazil international, is determined to take the team to new heights, emphasizing the importance of growth and competitiveness. He believes that the team needs to increase its output in physical, technical, and psychological aspects to win games at the World Cup level.
Coghetto's appointment as head coach comes after years of experience as an assistant coach with the Yaras and the Cobras franchise. He has a clear vision for the team's future, focusing on establishing a high-performance program to meet the demands of the WXV and World Cup qualifications. The coach acknowledges the challenges of the role, extending beyond the field to include nutrition, physiotherapy, and player management.
One of the key strengths of Brazilian rugby, according to Coghetto, is the development of a strong youth player pathway, particularly the 'Nina' project. He believes that several former 'Nina' prospects have already debuted for the national team and will form the backbone of the Yaras. However, he emphasizes the need for improvement in the domestic game to prepare these talents for Test-match level.
To achieve this, Coghetto has divided the next four years into two strategic phases: qualification for the 2029 Rugby World Cup and preparation for the World Cup. He aims to involve the most experienced players in the first phase while introducing newcomers in the second. This approach ensures a clear path forward for the team.
Coghetto's playing style philosophy is rooted in the Brazilian culture of creativity, dynamism, resilience, and intensity. He wants the Yaras to embody these traits, playing on instinct and improvisation while maintaining strong, durable structures. He envisions a team that works hard and also plays with razzle and dazzle, a unique blend of strength and flair.
As the Yaras prepare for their WXV debut in Hong Kong, Coghetto's focus is on exposing the team to high-level competition to gauge their progress. While success at the WXV is not solely measured by results, he aims to see improvements in areas like the scrum, lineout, ruck exit, and quick succession of phases. Coghetto's ultimate goal is to help players reach their full potential and make a lasting impact on the Yaras.
The coach's dedication to the sport is evident in his daily life, as he breathes, eats, and thinks about rugby constantly. He believes that rugby has given him everything he has today and hopes to repay the gift by helping the Yaras succeed. Coghetto's passion and belief in the team's potential make him a formidable leader, ready to take the Yaras to new heights in the world of women's rugby.
