GUYANA’S National 15s rugby team – the defending NACRA champions – will depart for Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow to face their long-time foes in a must-win game. The Green Machine will travel to the Twin Island Republic for a rematch of their 2013 match where the ‘Trinis’ defeated the Guyanese 20-0 when they met at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Campus ground.

With the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Southern Zone title on the line, the winner will go on to play the winner of the North Zone to determine who will be the NACRA 2015 champions.
Boosted by the inclusion of Australia-based Kevin McKenzie, Guyana, who defeated Barbados 48-22 in their first game of NACRA tournament at the National Park, also feature Rondell MacArthur, Jason Tyrell, Rockford Cummings, Dwayne Schroeder, Vallon Adams, Richard Staglon, Jamal Angus, Jermaine Prowell, Ryan Gonsalves, Peabo Hamilton, Theodore Henry, Claudius Butts, Avery Corbin and Ronald Mayers.
The reserve players are Jacques Archibald, Kevon David, Delroy Gordon, Troy Arjoon, Blaise Bailey, Lancelot Adonis, Leon Greaves and Randy James.
President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Peter Green told Chronicle Sport yesterday that he’s 200% confident that Guyana will defeat Trinidad despite the opposition being one the most difficult they’ve faced.
Green, speaking at the team’s practice session at the National Park, believes that his men are hungry to not only hold on to their NACRA trophy, but also have a score to settle with the Trinidadians.
“These guys are not going to settle until they bring back home the title. You ask any of the players what is the goal and they will tell you it’s to bring back the bacon. They’re going not on vacation, they are going to win,” said the GRFU boss.
As it relates to funding, Green noted that the team is doing “fine” in that regard, adding “we have money coming in through the 7s team and prudent management that we’ve had so far has helped us to be in a good place. We’ve bought a new set of playing gear for the 15s, 7s and the ladies and that’s about $2M.”
The game will be played at the Fatima College ground, which Green said is similar to that of the National Park which will make his side comfortable, as compared to the University of the West Indies (UWI) ground where they played two years ago.
“The last time they took us to their ground, which was a little small and they had an advantage. This time we’re using a ground that will make the players feel right at home, so I believe in this team, and I know the entire country believe in them as well and we’re going to win,” Green said.

By Rawle Toney