THE Green Machine, Guyana’s senior Men’s Rugby Team, received a baptism they will never forget when, for the first time, they played a team from the South American region and were soundly beaten by Colombia 71-7 in their opening game of the Americas Challenge Series.

It was not the start Captain Ryan Gonsalves and his troop were anticipating, despite making it known that Guyana will face an uphill task in Colombia, participating in the four-team tournament for the first time.

Joseph Rahaman scored Guyana’s lone try in the game, as the Green Machine now shift their attention to their clash against Paraguay on Wedneaday.

Paraguay opened their campaign with a 45-36 win over Mexico in the first game of the tournment.

Guyana is the highest ranked Caribbean side in World Rugby at 46, and along with Mexico at 53, are the teams representing the Rugby Americas North (RAN) region in Colombia.