Both Coaches confident of victory

Jun 22, 2011 Sports

– fans urged to wear green today

By Rawle Welch
Head Coach of the national rugby squad that will oppose Bermuda in the final of the NAWIRA 15’s Tournament speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday shortly before the start of their final training session said that the team is focused and ready to beat the visitors.

Theo Henry

Asked whether they’ve had to make any changes to their style of play to accommodate the Bermudians, Henry responded in the negative, adding that most of the teams rely of their physical superiority, whereas Guyana is renowned for its speed and agility.
He informed that prior to yesterday’s sessions, they concentrated on studying and correcting some of the errors they made in the previous match against Barbados.
He said he expected a strong challenge from the Bermudians, but was confident that the locals are confident and should be able to hold off any threat that the opposition may pose.
“Our major asset is our speed and we would be foolish not to utilise our strength to our advantage,” Henry stated.
Henry disclosed that the squad is the same one that played against Barbados, while he urged all of Guyana to come out and support the team.
Meanwhile, Head Coach of Bermuda Lawrence Bird speaking with this newspaper yesterday morning following the conclusion of a practice session at the National Park admitted that today’s game will be a tough one for both sides.
“We are a very physical team and we know that Guyana will use their speed and athleticism to good effect, but all in all I think that they are the best two sides in the final that have a healthy respect for each other so it looks set to be a good game,” Bird mentioned.
Touching on the team’s preparations, he said that they’ve done all that they had to do and it is just a question of attitude on the day and which team needs it more.
Asked whether he had any prior knowledge of the Guyana team, Bird informed that just a few of the guys that played against them in the 7’s format, but clearly not much.
“We haven’t seen each other in about three years, but I expect both teams to improve since then so it should be a good game to come out and watch.”

The Bermudians seen in recovery mode after a training session yesterday at the National Park.

Admission is free and fans are being urged to come out with their green t-shirts and support the local team.
Scrum time is 18:00 hrs and the game will be played under floodlights at the National stadium.
The full squad is: Jason Tyrell (prop), Rondel McArthur (Prop)
Allain Crawford (Hooker), Walter George (Second row), Avery Corbin (second row), Richard Staglon (Wing forward), Dwayne Schroeder (wing-forward), Clive Prowell ( lock), Ryan Gonsalves (scrum Half), Peabo Hamilton ( stand-off), Claudius Butts (Capt), Elwin Chase, Kevin MeKenzie, Breon Walks and Ryan Hinckson.
The substitutes are Dillion Downer, Vallon Adams, Troy Arjune, Delroy Gordon, Leon Greaves, Rickford Cummings, Rodwell Hutson, while the reserves are Jose Felicien, Blaise Bailey, Daniel Anderson and Trevon Inglis.
There will be an after match party at Mojo’s for both teams and admission to the occasion is $1,000.