Captain and coach of the national rugby team Theodore Henry has charged his players to expend “every last ounce of energy” in the games they will play in Las Vegas for the International Rugby Board World Sevens Series which bullies off on February 12 at the Sam Boyd Stadium.
Theodore spoke with Stabroek Sport on the eve of the team’s departure yesterday at the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph (GT&T) canteen where the company donated US$5,000 to offset some expenses.
Although the team is seriously depleted by the loss of three senior players, who are serving bans due to infractions committed at the XIX Commonwealth Games in India last October, and injury to three others, Henry said the message throughout training had always been for the team to produce solid performances.
He stated that the players have been conditioned to believe that a solid performance does not always mean winning but rather giving “100% on the field of play at all times.”
He indicated that the side, which is grouped in Pool A with England (ranked number one in the HSBC Sevens World Series standings), Argentina and France, underwent serious psychological exercises alongside their physical preparation.
He rated the side, which was scheduled to depart Guyana at 08:00 hours this morning, as being among one of the fittest sides that have left these shores. Further, he noted that team unity and the “general work ethic of the players” are at “optimal” levels.
He said that throughout the training the players have given their all and he is confident that the same will come from the five-time Caribbean champions. That apart, Henry emphasised that the replacement players have accepted their roles that have been handed down to them.
According to Henry the loss of the players who had been banned will be felt but he pointed out that that the new players at this level have exhibited the necessary mindset to perform at the highest level. Henry noted that the side will wrap up its training tomorrow in Las Vegas.
He revealed that there will be a focus on defensive techniques since this is an area where Guyana can win games, especially since the other aspects seem solid.
Meanwhile, original member of the squad, Dane Parks will miss the tournament due to an injury to his shoulder which occurred during a practice session on Sunday at the National Stadium. His place has been taken by Christopher Singh, who was one of three standbys.
Squad: Theodore Henry (Captain), Ryan Gonsalves (Vice-Captain), Claudius Butts, Ronald Mayers, Avery Corbin, Peabo Hamilton, Walter George, Leon Greaves, Elwin Chase, Rupert Giles and Dominic Lespierre.
The team’s physiotherapist is Arianne Mangar.
When Stabroek Sport spoke recently with appointed Canadian Technical Director Spencer Robinson he said that while the side is missing some key members the other players have to build momentum and capitalise on the creativity of some of the players in the side. He mentioned former captain of the side Claudius Butts in this regard.
Robinson posited that Guyana is the lowest ranked team in Pool A and there will be no easy games therefore all players have to step up.
Meanwhile, after referring to the company as having the best network and only associating with the best, GT&T’s Chief Financial Officer Royston Rachpaul presented a replica cheque worth $1 million to manager of the team Robin Roberts.
Rachpaul pointed out that the sport has always benefitted from GT&T’s support and it is mainly because of the team’s success.
“We are the best network and we always associate ourselves with the best.
We’ve supported athletes such as Hugh Ross and the national powerlifters in the past and we all know of their outstanding achievements,” Rachpaul said. President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Kit Nascimento commented on the support the Union has received from GT&T for the past five years. The telecommunications company started with the West Indies team which had some five Guyanese for the first three years.
“Over the past two years, the company’s assistance has been responsible for the national Sevens team participation in all of its overseas and local international assignments and I want to thank them on behalf of the Union and the fraternity at large,” Nascimento said.
“Corporate support is absolutely essential if Guyana is going to produce world class teams and athletes,” Nascimento noted.
