World Rugby’s WXV is just about to start and the biggest prize in the WXV3, alongside a promotion to the 2nd tier, is also a possibility to qualify for the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
Rugby Europe's Spain and Netherlands will be playing for that opportunity to reach the most coveted international tournament of them all, and in this first part, we had a sit down with the Dutch captain, Linder Van Der Velden.
Linde, a World Cup qualifying opportunity is on the horizon. How's your team getting ready for the WXV3? What can you tell us from the preparation going on for the last couple of weeks?
Our preparation has been really good. We have worked hard together over the past 3 months. We’ve been together 4 times a week in 2 blocks of 8 weeks with a little break in between.
Training 4 times a week on top of your full-time job/study, with the travel to Amsterdam and most costs not being covered has not been easy, but we all stuck to it and showed up together as a team. Having had the game against Fiji last night was just amazing, to put all those training elements into a game and of course with a positive outcome for us. It shows that all the hard work was worth it and excited us for what’s to come.
What are the Netherlands strengths? And what does your team have to do to beat Samoa, Spain, and Hong Kong?
We have really worked on having multiple threats, whilst before I think we could be quite predictable. We have some really strong ball carriers, and our defense has also been one of our strengths. I think the heart we have for each other as a team is also one of our strengths, just putting our bodies on the line for each other. It will be 3 very tough games, but as long as we stick together, and we stick to our game plan and our strengths I think anything is possible.
Netherlands finished in 2nd place in the Women's Rugby Europe Championship for the last three seasons. Do you agree that the competition helped your side become more competitive and grow? And do you think the Rugby Europe women's landscape is turning out to become something spectacular?
It is amazing to have the opportunity to represent your country every year in a competition. The Women's Rugby Europe Championship has greatly helped us close the gap between Spain and us. I think we have some extremely exciting teams in Europe and hopefully the more we play each other the more we can help each other grow.
Having played for a long time in England, do you think women's rugby is growing? What changes have you noticed from the last 4 years?
Women’s rugby is without a doubt growing, I can see that in England, but also in the Netherlands. The crowds we are getting at Sandy Park are increasing every season and most of the games get covered on TV as well. These facilities are available because so many people want to watch the games. In the Netherlands you can see this as well, against Colombia we had a record crowd for a Dutch women’s game against Fiji on a Thursday night, again getting over 1000 spectators.
How big would it be for the Netherlands to qualify for a World Cup? Do you think it is the moment for it to happen?
It will honestly mean so much, I find it difficult to put that into words. We haven’t been able to qualify since 2002 and we hope this is the moment for us to get back onto that international stage. It will just mean we get more games at the highest level, more funding to support our program, and just get to keep progressing.
Can you leave a message for the Dutch and worldwide rugby fans who are going to follow the Netherlands in the XVE?
Just that we love and feel their support and it helps us to push ourselves to be the best version we can be. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are now and we will do everything we can to make them proud.
Netherlands WXV3 debut is scheduled for the 28th of September against Tonga (6.30 CET). In the 2nd round, they face their old-time Rivals Spain on the 5th of October (6.30 PM CET). And, finally, they conclude their campaign with Hong Kong China on the 12th of October (4 PM CET).
Click here to watch Linde's portrait
By Francisco Isaac
