The preparatory work was put in, the confidence level is high and the national ruggers are ready for today’s NACRA senior men’s 15s Caribbean Championship game against Barbados at the Providence National Stadium.
This was reiterated by the Captain and the Coach of the team Ryan Gonsalves and Theodore Henry when the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) held a press briefing at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) building yesterday.
“The team confidence level is high and we are confident of a victory tomorrow,” declared Gonsalves.
“The blend of the experience and the debutant players have our team looking ahead for great things, we have some senior players in the team that went to the final twice and lost so we know what this moment is about and we have players who are excited to create a very good first impression and tomorrow is a stepping stone for that.
“We are confident. It is just a matter of us executing our game plan to get the victory,” he added.
“The fitness is high. I think that we did as much as we could have in the preparation time that we had in terms of getting the team tactically ready but I think it is more mental than anything else and I mentioned to the guys we need to get into championship mode from today (yesterday),” coach Henry added.
“I’m convinced that the team is ready and I know they are going to make us proud tomorrow,” he opined.
Henry also stated that the team will be playing to its strength which is its speed against the burly Bajans.
Meanwhile, newly elected president of the union, Peter Green thanked Banks DIH Limited and the National Sports Commission for sponsorship of the team.
Director of Sport, Neil Kumar said that he is confident of a Guyana win today and also stated that plans are afoot to further develop the sport by partnering with Argentina.
“Rugby is developing in this country and I want to say that it was only yesterday that the Ambassador of Argentina pledged his support for the development of rugby in Guyana we will be signing a MoU and shortly they will also sponsor a school programme.”
Guyana’s 22-man squad is Gonsalves (captain), Christopher Singh, Claudius Butts, Kevon David, Elwin Chase, Delroy Gordon, Rondell Mc Arthur, Dwayne Schroeder, Rickford Cummings, Avery Corbin, Peabo Hamilton, Carl Lewis, Richard Staglon, Ronald Meyers, Jacques Archibald, Jason Tyrell, Cloyd Prowell, Dillon Downer, Lancelot Adonis, Grantley Williams, Akeem Fraser and Breon Walks.
Barbados’ squad reads Forwards: Neil Forde, Jeren Clarke, Caston Howard, Christian Pierce, Antonio Gibbons, Raj Edwards, Stephen Millar, Kevin Murrell, Adon Rogers, Shaun English, Dwight Forde (Captain), Irfan Khan and Marcus Harewood.
Backs: Nico Blunt, Kevin Carter, Stephen Atwell, Nicholas Jackman, Sean Ward, Ramoun Downes, Kevin Chobam, Anthony Bynoe and Dario Stoute.
Coach: Stuart Copland and Manager, Romeo Mayers.
The following appointments have been made by NACRA (North America Caribbean Rugby Association) for the South Zone Round 2 Guyana versus Barbados match.
Jason Brewer (Barbados) – Match Commissioner, David Ardrey (USA) – Referee, Anthony Pontifleete (Trinidad and Tobago) – Assistant Referee 1/Replacement Referee, Carlton Heywood (Guyana) – Assistant Referee 2, Shebana Daniels (Guyana) – Fourth Official, Sabola Gray (Guyana) – Fifth Official and Terrence Grant (Guyana) – Coach of Match Officials
Entrance to the event is free and all are urged to wear green to support Guyana.
Kick off time is 16:00hrs.
