This could be argued as the biggest game of the weekend, if not the tournament. Especially for 2 really improved Tier 2 Rugby nations, getting a shot at the last RWC 2027 qualification spot.
Coetzee (39', 53')
Tries
Soenen (2'), Hendrickx (13'), Torfs (33'), Remue (49')
Conversions
Francq (3', 14', 34', 50')
Penalties
Francq (27')
This could be argued as the biggest game of the weekend, if not the tournament. Especially for 2 really improved Tier 2 Rugby nations, getting a shot at the last RWC 2027 qualification spot.
Netherlands may look to have the better form going into the game, but Belgium will not be letting this chance go to waste.
Belgium, came out the gates, just like they did in the opening game of the tournament. The Dutch will struggle to keep up with this pace if it continues. 2 minutes into the game, a sublime cross field kick allowed Simeon Soenen to score a crucial try, after Willie du Plessis thought he had the easy catch. The ever reliable boot of Hugo de Francq made the conversion to take the lead to 0-7 after 3 minutes.
The torrent of Belgian attack continued, causing chaos and errors by Netherlands but they managed to get a penalty in what should be a easy opportunity. However, the wind was circling in Amsterdam again. Willie du Plessis smashed the penalty kick into the post.
A 8 minute reprieve in points ended with another Belgian try, their pure physicality and constant go forward could not be stopped with Maximilian Hendrickx try. Hugo de Francq did the standard duty again and added the extras.
The Netherlands had a period of go forward but this solid Belgian defence were not having any chances of a turnover go to waste. They once again, managed to put themselves into the Netherlands half. The penalty count was constantly creeping up, the ref advised that the Netherlands were on their final warning. Under that warning, they managed to hold up the Belgian lineout and win a scrum on their own 5m line. Belgium turned the pressure on with an amazing scrum attack, with the Netherlands skating back over their own line nearly. However, Chris Raymond somehow scooped the ball out and got the Dutch out of trouble.
The clearance once again ended up in Belgian hands. And the subsequent infringement in the Dutch attempt to get the ball back, ended in a yellow for the Captain Koen Bloemen. And a easy Hugo de Francq penalty kick in front of the post.
The unreal pace of this game continued, the Belgians were not letting the Dutch settle at any opportunity. It looked like the Dutch were passing round a bar of soap.
Belgium kept the Dutch under the pump and finally got another penalty on the Dutch 5m line for another breakdown infringement. A quick tap and go, allowed a easy pass into an rapidly moving Jens Torf to run clear over the try line and get the 3rd Belgium try on the board. Hugo de Francq once again snuck the extras in to take the score to 0 - 24 after 34 minutes.
Belgium took their foot off the throat with a couple minutes of the half to go. The Dutch managed to get a breakdown penalty in the Belgian 22, opted for the kick into the corner. A clean lineout execution ended in a Dutch penalty advantage for Belgian collapsing the maul. Another kick to the corner, ended with another Dutch lineout. This one was executed by Robbie Coetzee under another penalty advantage, and nearly every Dutch player turning up to force it over the line. Willie du Plessis had another shocker and put the conversion attempt closer to the 5 m line than the posts.
Half time whistle goes for 5 - 24, surely there isn’t much of a chance for the Dutch in this game if the Belgians can maintain the pace? No doubt the Dutch Orange Army will be there to cheer the team to the line.
Netherlands start the half with the wind in their favour now. The surface looks slippy still with a few early footing errors.
An early penalty for the Dutch puts them down on the Belgian 22 with a lineout opportunity. Belgium force a collapse at the lineout, and hand another penalty back to the Netherlands. A 5m lineout was the option, a cheeky layoff to Spike Salman sneaking round the blind was held up by Belgium and the option to clear their lines. They could only clear as far as another Orange wave of attack. Belgium held strong and managed to clear their lines to touch,
Has the tide turn in this game?
Netherlands had what seemed like an eternity camped in the Belgium 22. Slow ball was killing any chance getting the ball wide, but the pick and go option was working slowly. But Belgium managed to lock in and win the turnover on their line again. All the huff and puff had ended in nothing for the Dutch.
On the 49th minute, Belgium found themselves over the try line again. But even watching it back, I still cant see how Florian Remue had snuck through uncontested for a easy try under the post. De Francq obviously didn’t disappoint as usual and made the score 5 - 33. 4 tries to the good now, have they finally broken the Dutch spirit!
No chance, the 52nd minute, found the Dutch on the 5 metre line, with their trademark lineout maul. Mees Van Oord obliged with the try in the corner off the back of the maul. However, Vikas Meijer stepped up for the conversion attempt but could not change the kicking fortunes either.
From the restart, a poorly timed tackle from Thomas Wallraf , resulted in a yellow card and a few handbags. Has Belgium let the Dutch back in now?
Belgium nearly drive the Dutch all the way back to their try line from a lineout maul at half way. A number of handling errors and tackle errors end up with a Belgian knock on. And a Netherlands scrum on their 5 metre. The Belgians turn the screw but once again the Dutch get the ball out of the back of a rapidly retreating scrum. The phase forward, ends with the Dutch forced into touch but ill discipline allows another Hugo de Francq penalty attempt. This time, he could not make it count for a change, and the score stays 10 - 31.
An unreal 50 22 from Belgium, put the Dutch camped in their own 22 again in the 62nd minute. But they managed to exit and remove the pressure of another Belgian attack.
On the 66th minute, Netherlands managed to force themselves over after a 5 metre tap and go pen. Belgium had taken another yellow card for a cynical offside tackle to stop the Dutch. The tap and go penalty was hit with the reverse pass to allow Tim de Jong force over the line. But the try was disallowed due to Chris Raymond not tapping the restart properly.
Has this caused the end of the Dutch chances of turning this game around? Well, the Belgians return with another sublime 50 22 and put the Dutch on their own 22. But they fail with the line out. Can the Netherlands throw themselves forward with 11 minutes to go.
Belgian have used the kicking ability to their advantage and remove any pressure that the Dutch try to put on.
The game is stopped on the 71st minute, when what looks like a serious head injury has left Dazzy Cornez out cold on the deck. He doesn’t have much luck for injuries in this tournament.
8 minutes left of the game, and the Belgians have a scrum in their own half and another scrum dominant display dismantles any Dutch hope. Another string of Dutch penalties allow the Belgians to kick themselves onto the Dutch 22. A cheeky offload nearly ends in another Belgian try. But a fumble does not come off for the Belgians, and they come back for the penalty advantage. The Dutch must be wondering what has happened today.
The stream of the game ended abruptly, so was unable to see the last 5 minutes of the game. But the result didn’t change.
The Netherlands will be shell shocked and not understand how they were coming into this game in great form. But get absolutely dismantled by a dominate Belgian side. Belgium will now get prepared for their November attempt at RWC Qualification.
