… Captain Gonsalves anticipates tough tournament

DESPITE not being properly prepared, as stated by the coach Kenneth Grant–Stuart, the ‘Green Machine’ departed Guyana yesterday for Colombia, where they will compete in the inaugural Americas Rugby Challenge, from August 24 to September 1 at the Estadio Cincuentenario in Medellín.

Guyana will open the 15s format tournament with a clash against hosts Colombia on August 26, and will also face Paraguay and Mexico, in the cross regional event that encompasses both North and South America.

Speaking to the media prior to the team’s departure, Grant–Stuart stated that the team’s preparation was mainly hampered by the lack of training facility – most the grounds in the city could not have been used because of the rain.

According to Grant–Stuart, “It was tough in the early stages, due to the fact that we didn’t have a proper playing field, due to the weather pattern, but to the latter end, we were able to move around and get reasonable practice.”

Meanwhile, Ryan Gonsalves, the team captain, made it clear that the tournament will be the most challenging 15s tournament ever played, since it will be the first time that Guyana will be playing outside of the Caribbean Zone.

“We have a lot of youngsters that are now making their debut into the 15s side, so it’s going to be challenging, but we’re going to have to make it work. Those teams that we are playing against will be very good technical teams and if we don’t play our ‘A Game’, we’re going to punish on the day. So we are going to go out there and get cracking from the first whistle,” Gonsalves said.

Gonsalves, one of the best scrum-half in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Region, will lead Jason Tyrell, Allain Crawford, Rondel McArthur, Kevon David, Grantley Williams, Richardson Staglon, Jamal Angust, Cloyd Prowell, Lancelot Adonis, Avery Corbin, Claudius Butts and Godfrey Broomes.

Also making the team, which was announced yesterday by the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), are David Garnett, Joseph Rahaman, Cyon Kitt, Ahmad Isaacs, Vallon Adams, Walter George, Sean Phillips, James Osborne, Daniel DeAbreu, Toby David, Selwin Henry and O’Neil Charles.

“South American rugby is totally different from the Caribbean rugby that we’re accustomed to. So we all know that it’s going to be a challenge. But I’m sure the guys are up for it and we will give our best,” Gonsalves pointed out.

Paraguay and México will open the tournament on Sunday, August 26, while hosts Colombia will tackle Guyana to close the first round of the tournament.

Trans-regional matches will also be played in the second round with Guyana meeting Paraguay, and Colombia playing against México on Wednesday 29th.

The final round, on Sunday, September 1, will see Mexico clash with Guyana, and Colombia versus Paraguay as the closing match. The winners will be the team accruing the most tournament points.

This Americas Rugby Challenge will provide Guyana, Colombia, Mexico and the Paraguay with international competition to aid their development, as well as promote the growth of rugby across the continent.

World Rugby Rankings points will be on offer and the proximity of the four teams in the rankings ensures games will be both relevant and interesting.

Paraguay (ranked 38) and Colombia (43) joined Sudamérica Rugby’s elite in the new 6 Naciones Sudamericano. Guyana (47) and Mexico (53), representing Rugby Americas North, will be able to advance in the rankings on the back of good performances.

The Americas Rugby Challenge is following in the footsteps of the successful Americas Rugby Championship, which will have its fourth season of competition this coming February/March.

The competition was created by Rugby Americas for development teams in the Rugby Americas North and Sudamérica Rugby regions.