Latest update February 20th, 2025 12:39 PM
Guyana’s National ruggers need win over Trinidad and Tobago
– full strength team to go out against T&T
Newly appointed President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), John Lewis in a press conference at Olympic House, High Street, yesterday morning firmly stated to the media that Guyana is in a must win situation on June 2 against Trinidad and Tobago at the National Stadium in the World Cup 2015 Qualifier Match after a 2-2 draw in their game with Barbados.
The President who complimented Rodwell Hutson, a player who made his second appearance in the 15’s team, on his performance during the game, describing the match for Guyana as one of ‘bad luck’. Hutson and Ryan Hinckson registered the two tries for the team in the 39th and 70th minute respectively.
The President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) John Lewis (centre), Coach of the National team, Theodore Henry (left) and the Match Secretary, Peter Campayne in the conference room at the Guyana Olympic House, yesterday morning.
The President also complimented the forward players which he taught played superbly against their opponents, “They did what they had to do,” he stated when making reference to the players.
Lewis added that the reason he deems the match as ‘bad luck’ for Guyana was because the players were in their opposition try area majority of the game when the additional time was allocated. “In the extra time we were in that period always on the Barbados try line but we just could not get the ball over to put it down properly. We called several times when the ball was held up; in other words someone was preventing the ball from going down to the ground,” he said.
Lewis is strongly of the view that a stronger domestic 15-a-side rugby season in Guyana will be needed for the players to develop and be on par with their 7-a-side performances. “We need a stronger domestic 15-a-side season; unfortunately our local season is dictated by our over-seas commitment and that prevents us from really putting on a good number of games.”
Coach of the team, Theodore Henry who was happy with the team’s performance, stated that the reason for the ‘bad luck’ was the lack of experience which would have kicked in if the other key players like Kevin McKenzie, Claudius Butts and Ronald Mayers were present last Saturday for the game. “I am proud of the guys coming away with a draw. We were missing a couple of the key players.”
The key players which were missing would have built the strong foundation in the 3/4 line which was the area that lacked the experience. “We went into the game with a bit of an inexperience 3/4 line team.”
Henry revealed that a great deal of emphasis will be placed on the 3/4 line at their training sessions for their upcoming game which is of much importance to them in a matter of days.
He further pointed out that ball handling will be another issue to look into during their sessions as it was an area that hampered the game from the 3/4 line as well as the setting up of tactical plays which will be executed against Trinidad and Tobago.
Henry disclosed that both Ronald Mayers and Richard Staglon which are seasoned campaigners to add strength of the team are expected to arrive in Guyana on Saturday. Butts, according to Henry was expected to resume training yesterday afternoon.
The National squad will have their official practice match at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence at 11am. (Juanita Hooper)
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