The Netherlands aims to build a solid championship foundation after Belgium wins

Posted by ticketapt on June 1st, 2021

Netherlands team head coach Zane Gardiner scored two victories after leading the team back to the first European rugby championship in 19 years.

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David Weersma scored 18 points, including a decisive late penalty kick. The Dutch team won the win-take-all upgrade play-off against Belgium in Waterloo on Saturday with a score of 23-21.

The winning kick of Weersma gave the Netherlands the first championship of the season since 2002 and prompted them to compete for a place in the Rugby World Cup 2023.

However, before the start of the games against Georgia, Romania, Russia, Spain, and Portugal (starting next month with Lelos in Telavi), Gardner put his place in the division.

"Let's look at this first game, use them to build, and then really shake up more teams next season," Gardiner told World Rugby.

“So that we can maximize our capabilities, learn from them and build a really solid foundation, let's gain experience, competition, and performance.

“We are not certainly targeted on the Rugby World Cup, We are only attentive on the Championship."

Gardiner added, "I think that's a success. I think it's realistic and if we can win two games and stay competitive in other games.

“I think we have to fight to win two games, and the players can tell me they want to win more games, which is good, I have no problem with it. But for me, we have to measure ourselves.

“It was also Saturday. We didn't participate in the championship team, nor did we participate in the Trophy team, so we didn't have that kind of pressure like physical strength and confrontation with professional and semi-professional players.

"It’s tough for amateurs and that's why boys have exposed a lot of bravery to get into their physical state."