Raquel Kochhann: 'I was more nervous taking the field as a referee than as a player'

The Yaras were triumphant in HSBC SVNS 2’s finale in São Paulo. The likes of Bianca Silva, Camilla Carvalho, Thalia Costa and Yasmim Soares made home fans go wild as they claimed silverware and a place on the HSBC SVNS World Championship at the second tier competition’s curtain call.

But they weren’t the only Yaras excelling in the Estadio Nicolau Alayon, as there was one of their flock making her debut as a member of the officiating team: Raquel Kochhann.

A living legend of the game, Kochhann took her first steps as an international assistant referee in São Paulo. An occasion that felt just like playing a Test match for the very first time.

“Oh, I was so nervous,” she told RugbyPass. “On Saturday, I had told our psychologist that I was more nervous taking the field as a referee than as a player!

“I went to the bathroom several times before the first match. My heart was beating like a drum. But as the day progressed and with the help of the other referees, I got more relaxed.”

As the final stage of the SVNS 2 turning out to be a tense but entertaining event, the former sevens great was profoundly proud to have been involved in it and was determined to do her best.

“I was laser-focused on my role and job,” Kochhann said. “I just wanted to give my best to the players who were in São Paulo competing to reach the Championship. I won’t deny that I had fun when I heard local fans supporting me and some of the other referees, but my first and main concern was to do my role well”

At the end of the weekend, Kochhann was savouring her baptism of fire. One that made her even more certain of this new path she had taken.

“I was happy with my performance, and my colleagues told me that I did well for my first-ever SVNS experience as an assistant referee. I felt that I learned a lot of useful lessons and insights, and with the certainty that I want to keep doing this and reach the top.”

But, despite admitting that it’s a distant dream, Kochhann already has some goals she’d like to achieve in this new chapter of her life.

“A return to the Summer Olympic Games would be memorable, I won’t lie, and I’m working hard to accomplish that dream,” she said. “I had the chance to feature in three different Olympics as a player, but every single new time is always a special occasion, and I would love to take part in one as a referee.”

But between playing sevens, going to the Olympics, featuring with the 15s and helping the Yaras qualify in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, how did the Brazilian utility back find time to become a match official?

Well, it all started in 2022 with an ACL injury.

“At the time, I began studying the laws and how to become a match official, as I wanted to remain involved in rugby even while nursing an injury. And then, while I was doing my cancer treatment, I enjoyed my first games as a referee.”

But did she think that match officiating could be her thing once her days as a player would be over?

“While, at first, I just wanted to learn more about the game’s laws, it ended up becoming a possible future path for my career.” the 33-year-old said.

“I felt drawn to it, as it gave me a new perspective about the game, and even after I fully recovered and was back to playing, I didn’t stop taking courses and officiating games.”

Kochhann, who’s acknowledged as one of the greatest servants of women’s rugby in South America, was always adept at learning the twists and turns that make rugby rugby. However, she was not always the biggest fan of those who enforced the laws.

“Oh, I wasn’t an easy player when it came to dealing with referees,” Kochhann chuckled. “I lost so much time debating with them, arguing about why they made that call or decision. But after I started to understand their role and how challenging it is, I understood that I wrong. Everyone makes mistakes. No one is perfect, and we have to learn to accept that.”

In her own words, officiating games is a nerve-wracking experience that demands that match officials and assistant referees be completely locked in for 80 minutes, all in pursuit of providing the best platform for players to excel.

“For me, it was an eye-opening experience, especially regarding the smallest details and the reasons why a referee makes a decision X or Y in that way. These inputs were crucial, as I understood what I had to improve as a player and how I could make the match official’s life easier.”

Kochhann’s progression as a match official helped her better understand how the game should be played, providing valuable insights she has shared with her Yaras teammates.

“Playing with and not against the referee is a valuable lesson that I’ve shared with my teammates. It makes the game so much easier for us, mainly in what concerns keeping our focus on the task at hand. The second most important lesson is: learn how to play with the laws of the game. There’s nothing to gain from bending them.”

Having made the decision to stick around with the 15-a-side set-up for the foreseeable future, the former sevens captain has also accepted a role as strength and conditioning coach for the Brazil women’s youth teams.

While for some it can feel like a heavy ordeal, for Kochhann it is not. She wishes to be involved at every level and inspire the next generation of Brazilian players.

“I think that players who have experienced and/or were involved in the High Performance programme should stay involved even if their lives as players have come to an end,” the three-time Olympian said. “We have so much to give, be it knowledge, excitement, experience and passion.

“Be it as a referee, a conditioning coach, a sports psychologist, a handling coach, etc, there are so many possibilities for you to reinvent yourself and keep inspiring those who come next.”

And although she won’t enjoy being a member of the Yaras Sevens roster, Kochhann will always be ready to help the team in any way she can.

“I am still with them, even if my life as a player has moved on from the Yaras Sevens. I normally go to their sessions to give my inputs as an official to them, as it helps the team understand better how the work is evolving and progressing.”

With the SVNS heading into the World Championship phase of the competition, Kochhann is ready for the call and to lift her assistant referee flag and another opportunity to continue embracing this new chapter of her life to the full.

“Renewal. For me, becoming a member of the officiating team has meant a new path in my sports life. It showed me that when one door closes, another opens and that you only need to embrace what comes next fully.”