Green Machine firing on all cylinders for Barbados clash
Rugby Americas North 15s….
By Akeem Greene
The senior National Rugby team, ‘Green Machine’ will face Barbados this afternoon at the Garrison Savannah, Bridgetown in the first match of the their 2017 Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s campaign and according to Head Coach Kenneth Grant-Stuart the team is fired up for the encounter.
“Preparation is good going good, we are ironing out in terms of our strategies and our fitness, everything will come into place before the game; all the players are fired up and ready to go”, the head coach told << Guyana Times Sport>> prior to departing on Friday.
Despite the inclement weather surrounding their preparations, the local ruggers made the most of the conditions
History does not favour the Bajans having lost to Guyana on the last two meetings, in fact the score was 48-17 when they played at the National Park last year. However, one thing they have in their favour is superior size and strength which Grant-Stuart has his plans to nullify.
“Barbados’ strength is there weight and we have designed our game to counter attack with speed and mobility”.
Regarding fitness, the coach is of the view that since many of the players would have competed in an international tournament in April, they are close to being a well-oiled unit.
“Most of the guys that came back from the Hong Kong Sevens are fit and it is just about getting in to 15s mode; the others have been going through their paces and they have been standing up to it, they are looking pretty good”.
After this match, Trinidad and Tobago will visit on June 10 and victories in both matches are crucial in an illustrious bid to qualify for the Japan 2019 World Cup.
Even though the road for that campaign has just begun, the experienced coach is advocating for support.
“We need everything, especially support, the ground situation is tough when it rains since we have to practice on smaller areas which makes it difficult to do technical drills”.
He added, “Hopefully we get more monetary support since guys have to go in their pockets to get this stuff done but we have the numbers and experience that can take us forward”.
More so, captain Ryan Gonsalves told this publication, “We are not taking Barbados for granted they have not beaten us in years and we are working hard enough to ensure it remains that way”.
Meanwhile, newcomer Ahmed Issacs who plays for Lindenwood University in Missouri and the front row is enthusiastic about making a mark with the team.
“I am really enjoying playing with the guys I play at one of the top universities in America and I’m having fun with the guys here and really looking forward to the game against Barbados”, the front row stated.
The Green Machine is the current runner up to Mexico in the RAN XV Championships as well as Current RAN VII Caribbean Champions.
Scrum-off time is 15:30hrs and the team is expected to return on Monday.
Squad:: Ryan Gonsalves (captain), Richard Staglon (vice-captain), Avery Corbin, Peabo Hamilton, Ronald Mayers, Godfrey Broomes, Dwayne Schroeder, Sean Phillips, Vallon Adams, Ahmed Isaacs, Rondel McArthur, Jason Tyrell, Allain Crawford, Kevon David, Jamal Angus, Troyton Braithwaite, Patrick King, Joseph Rahaman, Cyon Kitt, Toby David, Osie Mckenzie, Rickford Cummings and Blaise Bailey.
