Arguably one of the fastest wingers in the National Rugby team, Patrick King is in firm belief that the unit needs to get fully fit if they are going to pose any threat at the 2017 Cathay Pacific /HSBC Hong Kong Sevens from April 7-9.
King, who spoke to Guyana Times Sport on Saturday after the Green Machine held their first trials for the team at the National Park, was blunt in assessment as to what is needed to improve if they are going to make a lasting statement at their third outing at the prestigious event.
In soppy conditions at the National Park Rugby Field the practice matches were played at high intensity with everyone seeking to book a trip to Hong Kong
“Hong Kong is one of the biggest sevens tournaments in the world and the men just have to work and get fit, if you can’t run 14 minutes of rugby it makes no sense you play, so fitness is one of the key areas we have to improve,” the winger stated.
The team which won their eighth Caribbean Sevens title last year in Trinidad and Tobago, are keen on improving their speed, as the level of play at international tournaments is vastly different from that in Caribbean tournaments.
He explained, with trainer Barrington Brown, we are doing a lot of speed work, so actually we have included athletics training in this programme and he is doing a very good job; all the players are working on speed, the speed is getting better and that is one of the advantages for us in the Caribbean that our entire team has high speed levels.”
Commenting on the work done by the players done thus far in preparation, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) player is enthused about the level of play.
“The entire team is really looking strong, the new guys are showing a lot of interest, which is a positive since allot of times the big guys who play 15s don’t turn up but they are here now which is good,” the player disclosed.
Seasoned player Avery Corbin, also expressed similar sentiments, stating that “the team fitness level is 70%, we started early with the trainer which is good for us so we will only get better.”
Both King and Corbin made a call to government and corporate entities to give more support to the team since they are returning with results and with more support, they can only get better.
A preliminary squad for the trip is expected to be named soon.
The players who were called to the trials were: Rondel MacArthur, Avery Corbin, Rockford Cummings, Sean Phillips, Ryan Gonsalves, Peabo Hamilton, Godfrey Broomes, Claudius Butts, Patrick King, Dwayne Schroeder and Elwin Chase, Jamal Angus, Osei McKenzie, Lancelot Adonis, O’Neil Charles, Ryan Dey, Troyton Braithwaite, Kevon David, Akeem Fraser, Akieno James, Daniel DeAbreu, Kevin Wills, Lloyd Anderson, Rashad Butcher, Glenroy Poole, Quacy Kendall, Kesto Mars and Michael Barrow.
