Green Machine looking to run hot against Calypso Warriors

By Akeem Greene

Guyana’s National Rugby Team, the “Green Machine” will be aiming for a perfect performance when they tackle their Trinidadian counterparts in the twin Island Republic in the final of the South Zone of the Rugby America North (RAN), as part of the 2019 World Cup qualifiers.

Both teams so far have played unbeaten, inflicting convincing wins over their opponents; playing at home, Guyana defeated Barbados 48-17 and Jamaica 23-5. The Calypso Warriors hammered the same opponents, churning out a 34-14 win over Jamaica and a 39-5 steam roll of Barbados.

If history counts for anything Trinidad will begin as favourites, beating Guyana twice in their last three meetings. However, last year it was a tough battle with the game ending 22-20 with the Warriors taking victory by a narrow 2-point margin.

In recognition of the rigorous test expected, left winger speaking prior to the team’s departure said, “We know the game that we are about to play this weekend is not an easy game but still we aren’t taking it for granted because we know that Trinidad are just like us. It’s a 50/50 game and we can’t go in ‘jokey’; we have to do what we have to do.”

President of the Guyana Ruby Football Union (GRFU) Peter Green had voiced that they will be leaving no stones unturned in what he deems “a must win game.”

The team departed these shores on Friday and will return on Sunday at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and Green is hoping to bring the message of a crushing win.

On the points standings, Guyana are ranked 10th in the Americas and 53rd in the world while Trinidad sit eighth and 45th respectively; so a win should definitely see Guyana jumping places in the rankings.

Considering most matches between these sides hardly ever goes beyond the 25-point mark, it is expected to be another gruelling test when scrum-off occurs at 16:00 hrs at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.

Guyana’s Squad: Jason Tyrell (Hornets), Rondel  Mcarthur (UG Wolves), Rickford Cummings (Hornets, Kevon David (Yamaha Caribs), Jose Felicien (Hornets), Dwayne Schroeder (GDF), Jamal Angus (UG Wolves),  Delroy Gordon (Hornets),  Ryan Gonsalves (Hornets), Avery Corbin (GDF), Lancelot Adonis (UG Wolves), Partrick King (GDF), Claudius Butts (Harvards/Yamaha Caribs), Godfrey Brooms (UG Wolves ),Osie McKenzie (UG Wolves ), Cyon Kitt (GDF), Triton Brathwaite (GDF), Grantly Williams (Police Flacons), Toby David (Hornets ), Richard Staglon (cpt) -Trinidad (Caribs/Yamaha Caribs), Ronald Mayers (Trinidad Northerns/Hornets), Pibo Hamilton (Trinidad Northerns/Hornets), Kevin McKenzie (Latin Heat Australia /Hornets ).

Caption: The Green Machine faces their toughest test thus far and will need a team effort to overcome the Trinidadians.