Confident ruggers off to face Mexico

A confident bunch of national ruggers departed the shores of Guyana on Tuesday afternoon to honour a date against Mexico in the final of the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s championship on Saturday.

The ruggers assembled briefly at the Guyana Olympic Association’s headquarters on High Street, after which they headed to the Eugene F. Corriera International Airport at Ogle to begin the journey to Mexico.

A victory is what both teams will be looking for, as the game forms part of the qualifiers for the Rugby World Cup in 2019 in Japan.

Vice-captain Avery Corbin said the Guyanese unit is a well-oiled one, and he is confident the players will give a good account of themselves. In the days leading up to the game, Corbin pointed out that the players will aim to get familiarise with the high-altitude condition, which would no doubt play a key role in this match.

The Guyana Defence Force winger told media operatives that the team has been able to do some basic skills work with newly appointed Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) coach, Diego Giannantonio of Argentina.

Corbin further stated that the fitness of the team is definitely not in question, as the players have been putting in the hours since the last game.

President of the GRFU, Peter Green, said he is confident Team Guyana will be on the right side of the resulted when the game is done and dusted. Guyana is well known for its prowess in the Sevens format, but the country has been making strides in the 15s format recently.

Green said he wants that progress to continue, and a win on Saturday will be a step in that direction.

The squad reads: Rondell McArthur, Jason Tyrell, Rickford Cummings, Dwayne Schroeder, Vallon Adams, Richard Staglon, Jamal Angus, Patrick King, Ryan Gonsalves, Peabo Hamilton, Jose Felicien, Blaise Bayley, Claudius Butts, Avery Corbin, Ronald Mayers, Reign Dey, Elwin Chase, Kevon David, Delroy Gordon, Godfrey Brooms, Lancelot Adonis, Cyon Kitt, Treavin Selman and Osaie McKenzie.

The officials are Manager Robin Roberts, Coach Larry Adonis, Physio Barrington Brown, Technical Director Diego Giannantonio and Assistant Coach Grant Stuart. (Avenash Ramzan)

Photo caption: GRFU president Peter Green (front row, left) poses with members of the team before they left for Mexico on Tuesday (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)