Maria Esther Bueno was invited to the second of two rugby test matches between Brazil and Germany held at one of Brazil’s most historic stadiums, the Estadio do Pacaembu in Sao Paulo on Friday evening.
“It was quite an experience for me since I know very little about rugby,” Maria Esther told her website.
“The atmosphere was amazing and it was all done very well.
“They started with a minute’s silence in memory of [Jonah] Lomu, a very famous rugby player who died recently.”
New Zealand All Black Jonah Lomu died prematurely at the age of 40
Jonah Lomu was a New Zealand rugby union player, who became a global superstar.
He was the youngest ever All Black when he played his first international in 1994 at the age of 19 years and 45 days and finished his career with 63 caps having scored 37 international tries.
Lomu died unexpectedly at the age of just 40 in Auckland after returning from the UK with his family via a short holiday in Dubai.
He had been receiving dialysis treatments during his visit to Britain where he was involved in heavy promotional work during the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
As for the match itself: “It was all a bit confusing to me, on the pitch, because I don’t understand the rules too well but it was exciting at times, if a rather rough!
“Unfortunately one of the Brazilian players was carried off and we heard later he had to have surgery on his ankle.
“In some ways it is easier to watch a sport you don’t know much about on television as they focus on the important action.
“I found that also in the States, when I went to watch American football years ago. It was easier on TV!”
The famous Estádio do Pacaembu in São Paulo was hosting rugby for the first time and the match was broadcast on Brazilian television by SporTV.
The recent growth of rugby in Brazil and the future Americas Six Nations enabled Brazil to play at the venue on 5 December.
Paecambu has been used for soccer by a variety of popular professional teams and hosted six matches during the 1950 FIFA World Cup.
Working together with World Rugby, the CBRu hosted its European opponent in an effort to promote the game and attract thousands of new fans to the sport ahead of the Rio Olympics in which rugby is a medal sport.
Germany entered the test series ranked 30th in the world, some nine places higher than Brazil, and the first match was played at Sesi Blumenau, Santa Catarina state, which German won 29-12, placing the Europeans in a good position to win the series.
Entrance was free to the public and attracted a record crowd of over 10,800 spectators, although those attending were asked to make a donation, which the CBRu will use to help charities.
Germany was the stronger of the two sides but Brazil did, nonetheless, compete well.
The Brazilian scrum was impressive by all accounts but their opponent’s dominance gave away few penalties and Germany took the series after scoring a 31-7 win.
“I think Brazil did well, all considering, especially as it is such a young sport here,” continued Maria Esther, who is a Bradesco Ambassador.
“We were their [Bradesco and Momentum] guests, me and several other sporting ambassadors, and we had a very good time in the VIP suite.
“They served hot dogs, pizza, ice cream and popcorn, which was great! Just what we like!
“The others had a good laugh with me too, teasing that I don’t have an Instagram or Facebook account!”
One of them was Clodoaldo Silva, Brazil’s most successful Paralympian in history, who won six gold medals in the swimming pool despite suffering from cerebral palsy.
Clodoaldo Silva, Brazil’s most successful Paralympian in history
He competed at the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, winning three silver medals and one bronze and was also at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, where he set four world records, five Paralympic records, and won six gold medals and one silver.
He also represented Brazil at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing and the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.
“He has a great sense of humour, even if it was at my expense!” laughed Maria Esther.
“They were all very good company.
“Thanks to our colleagues at Bradesco and Momentum we had a very good time and were well looked after.
“It was a fun evening!”