The national men’s Rugby Sevens team left Guyana yesterday for Ottawa, Canada in quest of its seventh consecutive Caribbean rugby title.
The team is also hoping to finish among the top two countries in the Rugby World Cup Regional Qualifiers.
The two-day tournament will kick off on Saturday.
The Men’s Rugby Sevens Team (The Rugby Jaguars) is the number one seed in Pool C. The Cayman Islands, Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados are the other countries in that group contesting the Rugby World Cup Regional Qualifiers.
The USA heads Pool A with Jamaica and St. Vincent & the Grenadines the other countries while Canada heads Pool B with Mexico, Bermuda and The Bahamas as the other competitors.
Before the team’s departure, Captain Ryan Gonsalves spoke with Stabroek Sport about his expectations.
“My expectations for us are to win at least our seventh NACRA title and hopefully, finish in the top two for the Regional Qualifiers.
“The guys are positive; our team spirit is very high and we will do our best to make Guyana proud,” Gonsalves added.
He said while in Canada, the team will engage in practice sessions as well as video analysis and weight training.
Gonsalves’ deputy is Dwayne Schroeder.
The team is being coached by Theodore Henry while the physiotherapist is Barrington Browne. Mike McCormack is the manager.
The full squad reads: Elwin Chase, Avery Corbin, Peabo Hamilton, Blaise Bailey, and Richard Staglon – Trinidad & Tobago, Rupert Giles – England, Claudius Butts, Vallon Adams, Rickford Cummings and Ronald Mayers – Trinidad & Tobago.
