The national under-19 ruggers commenced preparation on Thursday for the North American and West Indies Rugby Association (NACRA) 15s tournament which kicks off on July 6 in Trinidad and Tobago.
Speaking with Stabroek Sport at the National Park rugby field, Coach of the 29-man squad, Laurie Adonis stated that his charges will be working assiduously in order to be match ready for the competition which is just one month away.
“First of all we will be working on the defensive aspect of the game while incorporating the basics like passing and tackling and the tactical part of the game,” said Adonis.
“We have limited time because the tournament is just a month away so we will be working on many aspects of the game simultaneously. We will also have the trainer working along with us to ensure the fitness of the players is where it should be.”
Adonis also disclosed that the squad will train four days per week, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in the afternoons and on Saturday mornings.
When quizzed on how far he thinks the team can go in the tournament, the U-19 coach noted:”We have not been with the under 19s for the past three years but hopefully we can play for the trophy honours.”
This year’s tournament will see a record number of teams competing; hence there will be a division similar in fashion as the IRB U20, with a Cup competition for the top tier teams and a Trophy competition for the less celebrated teams in the region.
The format of the tournament was decided on Monday and the Cup competition or Group A consists of Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Jamaica, and Group B consists of T&T, Mexico and Barbados.
The fixtures are: July 6 – Bermuda versus Jamaica and T&T versus Mexico; July 7 – TCI versus Bahamas and Guyana versus St Lucia; July 8 – Cayman versus Jamaica and Barbados versus Mexico; July 9 – TCI versus Guyana and Bahamas versus St Lucia; July 10 – Cayman versus Bermuda and T&T versus Barbados; July 11 – No matches – development and planning session workshop.
On the final two days, July 12 – TCI faces St Lucia and Bahamas tackles Guyana then on July 13 – the finals, third in Pool A versus third in Pool B, second in Pool A versus second in Pool B and first in Pool A versus first in Pool B.
The shortlisted national squad reads: Levi Mitchell, Shaquille McBean, Shaquille Paul, Kevin Joseph, Dellon Jones, Osafo Selman, Orande Mc Donald, David Lowenfield, Ryan Aimran, Terrence Clarke, Joshua Allen, Telroy Mc Calmont, Jermaine Leacock, Jason Solomon, Carl Rebby, Allister Peters, Iswar Dean Bhoopa, Troyton Braithwaite, Shaquille Brummel, Trevon Davidson, Fidel Neils, Elroy Gibbons, Shaquan Williams, Daniel DeAbreu, Floyd Sealey, Christopher McLennon, Jeffon Bowen, Dean Peters and Loranzo Forde.
