And we are at the Final Qualification Tournament’s edge. After so many games, wins, defeats, celebrations and reflections, we are here. Brazil pushed us to the limit and required us to do something special to snatch that win.
Those last minutes were incredibly difficult for us, but we pulled it off. Although we felt exhausted, we could only feel happiness at getting another win. I was relieved when we scored that 78th-minute try, because I thought we were behind because of what I had done and my bad behaviour. The team clawed back to life, and when we drove the maul inside Brazil’s try area, I was able to feel just a little less guilty. My teammates were mad with me, but also comforted me. I can only say sorry for what I did.
The team feels stronger after that win. We understood that we can excel in very challenging situations. After my red card, we could’ve dipped in form, but the opposite happened. We fought for every single thing, be it a tackle, ruck, breakdown, lineout, etc. We were determined to win this game, and we did it as a hard, solid group. We want this, and we are not giving up without putting up the best fight.
Our clash with Brazil was pure chaos from start to finish. We tried to inject a lot of rhythm and pace from the first kickoff, but then Brazil fought back and countered our strategy. It became a back-and-forth battle, and we had to dig deep to bounce back in the second half. Even if our discipline wasn’t at the level that we wanted, we still managed to turn things around.
And before I move on, let me say what a game from Jean-Baptiste de Clecq and Maxime Jadot. Like that spectacular beak from de Clercq made us feel exhilarated! He refused to go to the ground and just kept going until more than a few Brazilian players tackled him in a combined effort. That sprint put the team in a good place. And Jadot… what can I say about one of our most experienced players? He scored the winning try and simply dominated in every scrum, tackle and carry. We weren’t feeling great, but Jadot showed us the door. Two massive props, two massive shifts!
Now unto the next game. Samoa is definitely a new challenge for us. It is always amazing to face a team like them, who have participated in so many World Cups and who have created a brand in our rugby community.
As William Van Bost said during preparation for this game, it is our final game, and we must pour our entire selves into it. It is the last stretch of a marathon that began in 2024, and although we don’t know if we are winning, we have to cross the finish line. Like the English say, ‘No ifs, no ands, or buts. We know that it won’t be the end of the Diables Noirs, but we have to see it as it is our final day on this planet. No going back, no second-guessing. We have to be ready for the challenge, as they will throw everything at us.
Samoa is a physically aggressive team that has a knack for winning the gain line and setting up threatening quick plays. If we want to counter that, we have to be disciplined and always be on the lookout to strike a deadly counterattack. We have to pressure them and force them to concede penalties, feeding us good opportunities to get inside their 22.
As I won’t be playing, I have devoted myself to helping the group in any way I can, by pushing hard in our practice sessions, helping the staff and being the best teammate I can be. I will be with them in spirit from the first to the last second, feeling every tackle, carry, scrum and try.
This is the biggest moment of our careers; we have fought for this dream since we were kids, even when it seemed completely improbable. We have done so much together, and I am profoundly proud of what we have accomplished as a team, a group, and a family. We have put respect on our name and shown that Belgian players deserve a shot at the top. Believe in us because these past two years weren’t an exception or a blimp on the matrix. Belgium rugby can dare to dream.
We are vibing, there’s a lot of good energy. We are happy and in good spirits, and there was a particular training session when I felt the team was unstoppable. People have been on our sides from the start. Again, we don’t know how it will end, but this adventure, this quest, has been memorable, and I want these words to be my last on this blog.
Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for being with us every step of the way. Thank you for having made the Diables Noirs army an unbreakable family. Thank you to my girlfriend for having been here, showing her support.
Merci.
Charles-Henri Berguet
Good luck to Belgium in their final 'winner takes all' match on Tuesday 18 November against Samoa. You can watch the game live on Rugby Pass TV at 4:30pm CET.
Photo Credit - Christopher Pike/World Rugby
