The National Rugby team, ‘Green Machine’ will battle Barbados on Saturday at the Garrison Savannah in their first match of the 2017 Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s’ Championship.
New addition Ahmed IsaacsGetting it right! Captain Ryan Gonsalves hard at work, practicing his penalty kicks under the watchful eyes of Head Coach Kenneth Grant Stuart (blue top) at the National Park on Wednesday (Akeem Greene Photo)
In 2016, Guyana dominated the match against the Bajans with the scores ending 48-17 to prolong the misery for the Islanders against Guyana but captain Ryan Gonsalves said they will not be carless less and overconfident against their opponents.
“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”, he stated while to speaking to Guyana Times Sport on Wednesday after a training session in the National Park.
At that session Gonsalves was placing great emphasis on his penalty kicks which he feels is critical in any 15s match.
“The more penalties you can get going to goal and making it would be very crucial; some 15s games we don’t score tries but penalty kicks win games”.
He added, “ it has been almost a year so I’m trying to get my riddim back between now and Saturday; unfortunately the rain flooded the ground so I didn’t get to practice so today [We
dnesday] is my first day at it”.
Commenting on the squad composition and synergy among the players considering the amount of playing time they have gotten, he felt the senior guys will come good and bring the success required.
“We have a few new faces, we were hoping to have few under-19s s but didn’t they make the cut but they are always knocking at the door; We are trying to get the team together and getting back into 15s mode it is not easy because of the physicality but the coaches and senior players know
what is need for victory”, he explained.
One of those newcomers is 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”. Isaacs said.
In adapting to different to the Green Machine playing style, Isaacs disclosed that he is more than capable, “ in America we play hard rugby but I know that down here we play a bit more sevens style so I will be looking to pass the ball and run around rather than just over the opponents”.
The Green Machine is the current runner up to Mexico in the Regional RAN XV Championships as well as Current RAN VII Caribbean Champions and will be using these games in attempt to qualify for the 2019 World Cup. (Akeem Greene)
