Guyana’s final matchup in the RAN 15s campaign, the under-19 team’s participation in the RAN U19 championships and Olympic Day activities were the main points discussed when the rugby union hosted a media update yesterday at Olympic House.
Vice president of the union, Joshua Griffith, told media operatives that rugby will be one of the disciplines which will be observed during the weekend for the annual Olympic Day activities. Griffith stated that the union has organized men’s 15s and a women’s 7s games to be played today in the National Park from 11:00hrs.
Fresh off winning the RAN 15s southern zone championship after defeating Trinidad on home turf, Coach of the national 15s team, Laurie Adonis mentioned that there is still much work to do.
As the banged up Guyana unit awaits the winner of the northern zone final (Cayman Island or Mexico), Adonis’ men are battling injury as well as tactical concerns.
The Cayman Islands/Mexico game is scheduled for July 3. The south/north zone final is slated for July 23.
According to Adonis “we have to tie up some loose ends especially on defense” if Guyana wants to continue its winning ways and move closer to clinching a berth in the 2019 World Cup.
The coach added that senior players like Ryan Gonsalves and Claudius Butts had to exit the Trinidad game last Saturday due to injuries but he is confident other players will be able to step up if their not healthy enough for the all-important final on July 23.
U-19 Team
Coach of the national U-19 team, Troy Yhip said that the team which has been preparing for July 13-16 tournament for the last 10 weeks “has been jelling and players are more have been more knowledgeable of their roles.”
Yhip added that during the four-day tournament in Miami, Florida, Team Guyana, ranked in the second tier because of absence, aim is to finish on top of their table and graduate to the top tier.
