Lima Henwood: 'When we came out from the tunnel, I was profoundly shocked'

Despite the scoreline ending with a South Africa 66-6 win, you can’t deny Brazil’s passion and commitment on their Rugby World Cup debut.

The Yaras, who have played only 15 Test matches since 2020, weren’t going to leave Northampton without making sure fans had fallen in love with them.

Larissa Lima Henwood was a member of Brazil’s back row trio who started on Sunday. The 31-year-old Counties Manukau operator was subbed at the 60th minute, having amassed 20 successful tackles and one turnover- a tireless performance. However, her perception of her performance was quite the opposite.

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“I thought I was not having a good game at all, that I was failing my team, like running away from my responsibilities. When the game wrapped up, a few people told me that I didn’t stop for a single minute, and the stats showed that I had completed 20 tackles. Perception can be a weird thing!”

Although it was Brazil’s debut and it was only the second time that they had played a team of South Africa’s calibre, the Yaras weren’t happy with their performance, as Lima Henwood explains.

“I think the whole team was a bit frustrated in the end. We were happy and proud to make our debut, but we wanted to show what we could do while on the offensive. However, we didn’t give up, even when South Africa was scoring tries. It is one of those moments that you can’t help but feel proud.”

A common feeling shared also by Camilla Carvalho, another member of Brazil’s back row, who explained that pride was what kept the Yaras singing even when the stadium audio was cut-off during the anthems.

“We were not going to stop singing our anthem!” said the number eight. “We understand the time restrictions, but it was our first time playing in the biggest sports event of the women’s game.

“Our anthem had to be heard by all to enjoy it. We had the right to keep going until we sang every single word and verse. And our fans followed us, which made everything more special.

“It was Brazil’s debut in a World Cup, and we had to carry that weight as we were representing our country in the biggest rugby event of the year. We wanted to show the love we carry for Brazil in our hearts, that being a Yara is the biggest honour of your life. And I think we did live up to it.”

Carvalho completed 21 tackles on Sunday, tackling left and right, never giving up even when the Springbok Women kept targeting the Brazilians in-goal area.

“While I know that South Africa is a stronger team than us, once the referee started the game, I had to look them eye-to-eye. I wasn’t going to let them in just because they have more experience than we do. A Yara fights back, regardless of who’s in front of us. Brazil deserves to be here, and I was not going to let my team down.”

Like England and Spain, Brazil was one of the most supported teams on the weekend, with the stands of Franklin’s Gardens dyed in yellow, green, and blue, and the ruckus of the Brazilian voices being heard.

For Lima Henwood, it was an experience that made everything look even more surreal: “We had no idea how many Brazilians would be in the stands, so when we came out from the tunnel, I was profoundly shocked. The fan roar was spine-tingling. We felt that we really mattered, that the Yaras had made it through to the Brazilian fans.”

Breaking through the glass and reaching the average fan is Brazil’s goal, as Lima Henwood hopes their 2025 World Cup participation will inspire more girls to join the Yaras cause.

“Our dreams and goals don’t end with the World Cup. We want little girls to watch us play and feel the need to join us, to become part of a Brazilian rugby revolution.

“We aren’t playing for ourselves; we are playing for that six-year-old who’s watching us play. We want to inspire them. We want to hear them say, ‘When I grow up, I want to be a Yara.’”

With their focus already placed on France, Carvalho wishes for her and her team to make adjustments and keep inspiring fans, and to show that even a small rugby nation like Brazil can be a thorn against a behemoth like the Les Bleues.

“Our goal against South Africa was to enjoy and savour the moment. Now that we have savoured it, it is time to look ahead and prepare for the clash with France. They are one of the best teams in the world, and a contender, but we want to improve and be more precise. We need to feel that we are growing at every new game.”

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Having already arrived in Exeter for that match, Lima Henwood is followed by her young child, who has been with her every single step of her World Cup journey. For Lima Henwood, the future of Brazil isn’t the current Yaras, but the ones who, like her daughter, are watching them play from the sideline.

“My daughter has no real idea what’s happening. I think she must think that her mom is crazy, moving around four times in six months. I want her to understand why I did it when she grows up.

“It hasn’t been easy, but I am doing this for her. I want her to know that I stayed and kept playing because of her. I refused to give up because of her.”