Green Machine returns home after toppling Trinidad

— “I knew we would have done it”-  GRFU President

By Akeem Greene

Guyana’s National Rugby team, the Green Machine returned home on Sunday to a warm welcome by Director of Sport Christopher Jones and several media operatives at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport after their victorious outing in the twin island Republic. .
The local ruggers produced a stellar performance to seal a 23-18 over the natives and capture the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Southern Zone title, when the two teams collided at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Saturday.
Speaking upon return, President of the Guyana Ruby Football Union (GRFU) was overjoyed as he reminded the media that he knew the team would have been on the winning side.
I knew we would have done it, I told you on Wednesday that we are going there to win and we did just that”, Green said.

Coach of the team, Lawrence Adonis explained that it was tough but the hard work they did in preparation paid virtue for the win.
“It [the match] was a tough one but with the work we put in, especially that in Trinidad, helped us along the way, they were playing a pack because they had a heavier set of forwards from us but we imposed strengths and it worked well”’ Adonis said.
The away victory sees Guyana winning the South Zone of the Rugby Americas North Cup of the Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifiers. It means the Green Machine will now play the winner of the Cayman Islands/ Mexico game for the RAN Cup; that match is scheduled for July 5.
If the winner of the match between the Mexico and Cayman Islands is the latter, Guyana will be awarded a home match because of their superior rankings to the Cayman Islands. Conversely, if Mexico wins, the Guyanese will have to play an away match.
After defeating Trinidad (ranked 46) on their home turf, Guyana, who are currently rankled 53 in the world, are expected to make some leaps in the rankings.