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North American and Caribbean Rugby Association’s senior men 15s championship…Guyana, Barbados ready for today’s showdown
Defending Southern Caribbean champions Guyana will engage Barbados in the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association’s (NACRA) Senior Men 15s Caribbean championship today, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) held a press briefing yesterday, at Olympic House where they brought the media up to speed with preparations for the game and the local ruggers preparedness for the encounter against the Bajans.
A win for the Guyanese team today and another against
President of the GRFU Peter Green (3rd right) makes a point during the briefing in the presence of Director of Sport Neil Kumar (2nd right), Head Coach Theodore Henry (3rd left), captain Ryan Gonsalves (2nd left), Mike McCormack (left) and Robin Roberts yesterday.
Trinidad and Tobago on June 1 will ensure that they set up a clash for the NACRA title against either Southern USA or defending title holders Bermuda, who defeated the locals last year at the same stage.
The briefing was attended by President of the Union Peter Green, Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Team Manager Robin Roberts, Technical Director Mike McCormack, Head Coach Theodore Henry and Captain Ryan Gonsalves.
Green, who was the first to offer remarks, said “…all eyes and hearts of the players and management are focused on the game today and I’m urging all Guyana to come out and rally around the team.”
He extended thanks to the corporate community, especially Banks DIH, the Ministry of Sport and National Sports Commission for their support, while he called on other members of the business sector to come on board and add their support to the sport.
Roberts, who was taksed with the responsibility of giving an update on the preparations, said he was satisfied with the level of fitness exhibited by the players, adding that despite the fact that game strategies have not been finalised as yet, he is optimistic that everything will be in place come game time.
Henry in his presentation said, “I think we did as much we could have in the period of time we had in terms of getting the team tactically ready. Personally, I think is more mental than anything else. I am convinced the guys are ready and I am confident of a win.”
The Head Coach, while conceding that the Guyanese cannot match the Barbadians physically, he said the team has other strategies lined up to negate that advantage.
“We will play the fast game, our aim is to get them tired early so we will get the upper hand,” Henry added.
He called on the players to get into championship mode from yesterday, advising that they not wait until today to get into that mental zone.
Meanwhile, Gonsalves exuded confidence on behalf of the team, informing that it is a blend of youth and experience and steadfastly focused on beating Barbados.
“The team’s confidence is very high, we will take one game at a time, we are pretty confident and it is just about getting ready, playing the physical game, staying focused and stick to the game plan. Once we do all of that we will come out on top,” Gonsalves said.
Kumar in a short speech first congratulated the recently elected President for his aggressive attitude in ensuring that preparations for the game was adequately addressed and even assured that Government will assist in the further development of the sport in whatever way possible.
Barbadian Jason Brewer has been appointed Match Commissioner, USA David Ardrey is the match referee, Trinidad and Tobago’s Anthony Pontifleete is the Assistant Referee 1/Replacement Referee, while Guyanese Carlton Heywood, Shebana Daniels, Sabola Gray and Terrence Grant will act as Assistant Referee 2, fourth official, fifth official and coach of match officials respectively.
The Bajans arrived yesterday and were scheduled to hold practice sessions in the afternoon.
The Guyana 22-man squad is: Ryan Gonsalves (Captain), Delroy Gordon, Rondell McArthur, Dwayne Schroeder, Rickford Cummings, Richard Staglon, Avery Corbin, Jacques Archibald, Jason Tyrell, Grantley Williams, Cloyd Prowell, Dillion Downer, Christopher Singh, Breon Walks, Claudius Butts, Lancelot Adonis, Ronald Mayers, Akeem Fraser, Peabo Hamilton, Kevon David, Elwin Chase and Carl Lewis.
The Barbados squad is: Dwight Forde (Captain), Neil Forde, Jeren Clarke, Caston Howard, Christian Preece, Antonio Gibbons, Raj Edwards, Stephen Millar, Kevin Murrell, Adon Rogers, Shaun English, Irfan Khan, Marcus Harewood, Nico Blunt, Kevin Carter, Stephen Atwell, Nicholas Jackman, Sean Ward, Ramoun Downes, Kevin Chobam, Anthony Bynoe and Dario Stoute. The coach is Stuart Copland, while the Manager is Romeo Mayers.
Admission to the venue is free and supporters are asked to wear ‘Green’ in support for the local team. Game time is 16:00hrs.
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