THE GUYANA Rugby Football Union (GRFU) are on a mission, one that they hope will see them reclaiming the top spot in the North America and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) 7s Championship which they once held for five consecutive years. 

With that in mind, the national selectors yesterday released the names of 36 players, eight of whom are from overseas, to come up with an 18-man squad to represent Guyana in Mexico City, Mexico, from December 3 to 4.
According to the GRFU, the players were selected after a meeting last Monday, which was attended by national coach Kenneth Grant-Stuart, Lawrence Adonis and chairman of the selection committee Col. John Lewis.
“There is still an opportunity for other players to be added to the training squad depending on their performances at the Yamaha Caribs’ Anniversary 7s tournament that will be run off on October 26 at the National Park. Training days will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 16:30hrs and Sundays from 09:00hrs,” the Union said in a release yesterday.
The GRFU stated the national squad will be reduced to 24 players following their November 9-22 trial, from which the final 12 players and six reserves will be announced.
“Competition for a place on the final team is expected to be fierce, judging from the outstanding performances and talent on display so far. No position is guaranteed,” said GRFU president Peter Green.
Among the eight overseas-based players shortlisted is Kevin McKenzie, one of Guyana’s and the Caribbean’s top wingers, who now plays for the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles in Australia.
McKenzie has played a significant a role on every history-making Rugby team thus far; so too has Dominic Lespierre who plays his professional rugby with Huddersfield Rugby Union Club in England.
The 27-year-old Lespierre has an impressive pedigree following spells with UWA in Perth, South Magpies Club in Brisbane, Castleford Tigers Rugby League Club and more recently a short spell with National II North rivals Hull.
Harvard Rugby Club captain in Trinidad and Tobago captain Claudius Butts is also one of the overseas players called and he has responded to the GRFU, indicating his willingness to represent Guyana in Mexico.
Butts has long been touted as the Caribbean’s best winger and had captained the defunct West Indies Rugby team at several high-profile tournaments including the IRB World Series and the Hong Kong Sevens.
Squad: Vallon Adams, Claudius Butts, Richard Staglon, Peabo Hamilton, Ronald Mayers, Dominic Lespierre, and Isiejah Allen, Kevin McKenzie, Kevon David, Akeem Fraser, O’Neal Charles, Mark Sobers, Avery Corbin, Dwayne Schroeder, Jermaine Prowell, Wayne King, Wayne Hudson, Ryan Gonsalves, Leon Greaves, Jason Tyrell, Christopher Singh, Filon Thompson, Rickford Cummings, Troy Bascom, Blaise Bayley, Jason DeFrietas, Edward Roach, Rondell McArthur, Godfrey Broomes, Ryan Dey, Lance Adonis, Ossie McKenzie, Frank Joseph, Grantley Williams, Theodore Henry and Carl Lewis.

(By Rawle Toney)