As Belgium look to become the fifth Rugby Europe Championship team to make the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia, we will follow their journey with a number of blogs from within camp, starting with Charles Henri Berguet!
Bonjour!
It’s Belgium’s and RC Vannes Charles-Henri Berguet speaking from this side! Ça va?
Rugby Europe and Belgium challenged me to write a blog on our journey through the Final Qualification Tournament for Rugby World Cup 2027, that starts this next Saturday in Dubai. I’ve accepted the invitation and let’s start with the very beginning… the travelling!
We arrived on Monday, after meeting up in Brussels. On paper it seemed like a long journey, but actually it didn’t as we like to be together.
We all want to deliver something big not only to our fans, who have been with us every step of the way, but also for us. We are a team, and that team is called Belgium, the Diables Noirs.
Namibia is going to be a massive first test, and to overcome them, we have to be the ones dictating the tempo and pace of the match. The opening twenty minutes will be crucial, as they will tell you which team best adapts to the conditions. It is very hot here in Dubai. The one that shows the best spirits will surely end as the victor.
However, like us, Namibia has all the ability and qualities to reach the World Cup, as does Samoa and Brazil. Everyone has the same shot, which makes this tournament even more interesting.
So, saying that, why do I think we have a good chance? Because of our team spirit. Because of our camaraderie. Because we feel as one, and, as I’ve mentioned, we like to spend time with each other, even when we are not in national team camps.
Every time we meet up, it is excellent, and for me, it is more special when I have the chance to play beside my clubmate Jean-Maurice Decubber and William van Bost. I can wholeheartedly say that we are all friends, and that’s why this journey is so special for us all.
Unfortunately, we can’t physically share the journey with many who are very special to us: our fans. They have been incredible, supporting us and pushing us to believe we can go the extra mile or reach the next level. Despite them not being here, we are going to play like we can hear their voices all the way from Belgium. They are part of us, and we are going to put out a big performance, for them and for everyone who believed in us.
And because of their effort and love, I’ve pushed myself to become an even a better player. I’ve been enjoying my life as a Belgian international, and I try to step up every time I’m called to play for my country. Looking ahead to what’s coming our way, I need to be on the same level as my teammates, as I know they will be at their best, and I can’t let them down.
This past year, I’ve evolved as a player, learning and improving new techniques and skills, as I want to keep improving. For example, I’ve been polishing my offloading game and the best time to use it. It isn’t something you expect from a prop, but the best in the world do it, and I want to be the best version of myself. But I am the same Charles-Henry Berguet, the young guy who loves and enjoys playing rugby to the fullest. So, I changed without really changing.
Looking back to the last time I spoke with the Rugby Europe fan community, so much has happened since then. We ended up beating the Netherlands to qualify for the Final Qualification Tournament, a result unexpected by most. However, that’s how we like it, when most don’t expect a Belgium win. It makes us want to win even more, to tackle harder, to smash our bodies in the contact line with more power.
Our mantra is ‘Judge us if you want, we don’t care, as we are going to give our all and we will see who wins in the end.’ There’s a French saying that perfectly sums us up: C'est à la fin du bal qu'on paie les musiciens. Let the show wrap up before drawing your conclusions!
That win [against the Netherelands] wasn’t a one-off result, as we have gone on to land another good result, like our victory over Canada back in July! It was such an amazing feeling.
We felt we had the level to beat the United States of America, but we lacked game time to gel and get everything in order. However, after two weeks working together, we felt better prepared to take on the next rival, Canada. We didn’t fear them. We wanted to win, to impress everyone and show how far Belgium have come. Again, as we enjoy being together, it is easier for us to click and sync.
That’s what happened against Canada, and that’s what we want to do in this Final Qualification Tournament.
Looking ahead, I have great respect for Namibia, and I do think they are at the same level as other teams that have already qualified for the World Cup. That being said, if we want to produce something big, we need to show the same energy we have shown against Canada. We can’t fear team A, B or C. We need to believe in ourselves. I’m ready to die for every one of my teammates. I’m ready to make the first and the last tackle. I’m prepared to sacrifice my body and mind for them, and I know my teammates are as well.
For me, representing Belgium and playing rugby means everything. And I have another chance to do it in such a great stage as the Final Qualification Tournament.
We are not feeling any anxiety at all. I would say that we are really excited for the tournament to begin, and we want to give our best. Whatever happens in the end, we want to feel that we gave everything we had.
Now, it is time for me to get ready for that first big match-up against Namibia. I am hungry for that clash and to hear my teammates sing the national anthem right beside me. Watch and support us this Saturday, November 8th!
You can watch all the action from the Final Qualifying Tournament on Rugby Pass TV and if you are in Belgium it will also be shown on a variety of TV stations: LN24, Auvio and Sporza.
You can keep up to date from all the happenings in Dubai by following Belgium on their social channels.
