National ruggers complete final practice session

Sep 12, 2010 Sports

Action in the trial match at the National Stadium on Saturday

– More work needed in fitness area

Despite giving contrasting opinions about the team’s progress, both Head Coach Theodore Henry and President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento agreed that the level of intensity will pick up before they go into competition, at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.
Henry, who is in-charge of the team’s preparations here, told this newspaper at the conclusion of the final practice session yesterday at the National Stadium that it went well and the outstanding surface was what they needed to truly assess their level of play.
“We needed a good surface like this one to judge our progress and to create the kind of intensity that is required in preparation for such a high level tournament,” Henry said.
He stated that there is still some more work to be done, especially in the fitness area, but he insisted that they will return to the kind of shape that they were in during the CAC and NACRA Championships.
Henry stated that tactically they were a bit behind, but felt that when the team arrives in Barbados on Saturday and meets with Technical Director Joe Whipple that area of concern will be rectified.
“Personally I think that our work rate is high and we tightened up a lot in our defence, while our tackle rate has risen as well,” Henry opined.
He stated that because the tackle rate has stepped up, it has forced the opposing teams to challenge them on the outside thereby creating the opportunity for them to utilise one of their main strengths which is speed.
“In the forwards we are playing a bit more aggressive, tighter and quicker to the break downs, while the backs are coming together nicely which is a very good development,” the Coach disclosed.
Nascimento in his assessment said that the team needs to work harder and will have to lift their game to a higher level.
“They are getting there, but the intensity necessary to win at the international level will only come from higher quality competition and we will find that when we arrive in England,” Nascimento felt.
He revealed that the team will play on September 28 against three of the top club sides in England, adding that that is when the intensity level will rise.
Nascimento believed that those matches will also serve to identify the strengths and weaknesses in the team, while trial runs against Canada and Samoa are also in the pipelines.
“I would have preferred that the intensity come a bit earlier, but that will not be, we need international competition,” Nascimento reiterated.
He noted that Guyana is rated #16 for the tournament, but if the top eight nations are subtracted then they could be among the next best.
“Of the second tier teams, we are the team that could like create an upset over the very best teams,” he said.
Nascimento closed by saying that he believes Guyana will spring a big surprise during the competition.
The team leaves on Saturday for Barbados for a Camp.