‒ Green Machine calling on local support for Saturday’s mega clash
By Akeem Greene
Guyana’s national rugby team, Green Machine, will meet arch rivals Trinidad and Tobago yet again in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s South Zone Final on Saturday at the National Park.
When these two sides met last year at Hasely Crawford Stadium in the Port of Spain, Trinidad, Green Machine battled to a 23-18 win to secure the championship; however, Captain Ryan Gonsalves warned against complacency after being pushed by Barbados in their 34-26 victory; Trinidad defeated the Bajans 36-16.
Getting it right! The national players practicing their line-outs during a practice session on Tuesday afternoon (Akeem Greene Photo)
“Preparation has been going good, we are trying to get our strategies and attack in order since Trinidad is no pusher; we just want to be fully prepared from them on Saturday and hopefully the weather holds up and we get a full use of the ground”.
He added, “Our backline affected us against Barbados but we will have Claudius Butts back and we will be taking the game to them [Trinidad and Tobago], we have a mixture of young and experience guys; Trinidad will come with a big pack and will be mobile and try to burn them out”.
Playing at home should hold an advantage and the captain is urging local fans to come out in their numbers.
“Regardless of weather, Rugby is played so we just want Guyana to come out and support us because we have been doing so well over the years and this is a tough game and we will need every little support to get over the line”.
Likwise, newcomer Ahmed Isaacs who scored a try in the victory over Barbados shared similar sentiments. “We have been training hard, our coach has given us all the tools to do well, and we just the need the crowd support, that is going to be 16th man and could help tip us over the line”.
Isaacs, an overseas-based native that plays for the Lindenwood University, felt it was an awesome experience in playing his first game for Guyana, adding that he was buoyed with confidence given his teammates are extremely talented players.
Saturday’s fixture is expected to begin at 15:00h and the visitors are expected to arrive on Friday morning.
