Guyana ‘Ruggers’ depart for USA today ‘US team very beatable’ says Skipper Ryan Gonsalves

By Sean Devers

A 27-man National Rugby squad inclusive of 23 players is scheduled to depart Guyana this morning for Atlanta in the United States of America (USA) to take on USA South on Saturday in the final of the North America and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Men’s 15’s Rugby Tournament.

Guyana won the right to face the USA South for the NACRA Men’s 15’s title after defeating Trinidad and Tobago 15-8 in the final of the Northern Zone at the National Park in Guyana, while the USA South beat the Cayman Islands 34-30 to capture the Southern Zone crown.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sport after the team’s final practice session at the National Park yesterday afternoon, Captain Ryan Gonsalves said he was very satisfied with their preparation which began just over two months ago.

Gonsalves disclosed that his team were extremely confident of coming away with the title especially after looking at the US team in their game against the Cayman Islands.

“They (US team) only won by four points which shows how close is the standard of play Caribbean teams are from the North Americans. We have been together for over three years as a team and judging from their style of play I think they are very beatable,” a confident Gonsalves said.

Coach Clinton ‘Stiffy’ Clarke shared his Skipper’s view in relation to the preparation adding that since beating defending Caribbean 15’s Champions T&T the team have played two practice games.

“We have four overseas based players in the squad including three from Trinidad who were here from last week practicing with the team. US based Vallon Adams will join the Guyanese contingent in the States, so we have good experience and skill in our team,” Clarke pointed out.

The T&T based trio of Richard Staglon, Rondell Mayers and Peabo Hamilton along with Adams all played against T&T and along with Gonsalves, Claudius Butts and Theodore Henry will be relied on for solid performances on Saturday.

According to the garrulous Gonsalves, the above mentioned players have been exposed to International Rugby against teams like England, France, New Zealand and China, against whom they registered their first International win in Hong Kong and have helped Guyana to hold its own over the last three years, especially in the 7’s format.

Gonsalves admitted that on home soil the Americans will be a tough and confident opposition and the Guyanese biggest challenge will be the size and weight of the US players. But Coach Clarke said that while they are bigger than his boys their style is much slower and compact and his plan is to play a much faster game.

“Everyone has gotten US Visas and we would like to thank the US Embassy for the role they played in assisting the players to get their Visas in a very short time. We are in high spirits following our success against Trinidad. They provide us with a stern test whenever we play them but qualifying for this final has not been overwhelming for us since we all know there is a job still to be completed,” Gonsalves revealed.

Gonsalves said that everyone if fit and rearing to go, adding that the team is still short of amount of funding they require but was focusing on the game at hand.

“We are in a very good position to take the title once we play well on Saturday. We have to minimize our mistakes, stick to our game plan and execute and finish every scoring opportunity,” Gonsalves said

“This team is one of the most successful sporting teams in Guyana. We only lost once in the Caribbean in the last six years, and dominated, especially in the 7’s format and Government should rally round us and come on board a bit more,” Gonsalves added

He informed that the team is still awaiting word from Government, whose only contribution so far has been to provide a weaver on their departure tax. Gonsalves lamented that a lack of funds prevented the team from participating last year when Trinidad won to book a spot at the Commonwealth Games.

“We must thank John Fernandes Ltd, BK Super Mix, New GPC, Caribbean Containers Inc for their sponsorship, while GT&T yesterday provided the team with travelling Polo shirts. Banks DIH give us training shirts,” an upbeat Gonsalves concluded.