The national men’s 15s rugby outfit, known as the `Green Machine’ will look to kick off its 2019 international season on a positive note today when they look horns with Guadeloupe in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s South Zone Cup final.
Coach of the local ruggers, Shane Grant-Stuart is confident his charges will deliver from the first whistle when action kicks off at 15:00hrs at the National Park Track and Field section.
“We will have a positive result,” said Grant-Stuart yesterday following the final practice session at the National Park.
He added: “Our team is more confident than ever, our game plan is more structured and everyone seems to be on the same page.”
Grant-Stuart also gave the assurance that.. “Everyone’s spirit is high and everybody energies and efforts is behind each other.”
Captain of the outfit, Jamal Angus echoed similar sentiments.
“We have been working on a new pattern and players have settled into their roles.” Angus added that over the years, more individual plays were run but now the play calling from the sideline will be more team oriented.
“If we stick to our game plan that will translate to a win.” Angus opined.
At home, Team Guyana is heavy the favourite to defeat the visitors.
Note: The GDF ground was the initial venue for the match but inclement weather has forced a shift. Should Guyana defeat Guadeloupe, the ‘Green Machine’ will host North Zone winners Bermuda (who defeated Jamaica 43-14) in May.
The winner of that fixture will have the right to play the loser of the Mexico versus the Cayman Islands in the latter half of the year for promotion into the Americas Challenge Championships.
Guyana 23-man squad reads: Jamal Angus (Captain), Jason Tyrell, Kiefer Lopez, Rondel McArthur, Jose Felicien, Vallon Adams, Richard Staglon, Cloyd Prowell, Ryan Gonsalves, Godfrey Broomes, Avery Corbin, Rickford Cummings, Peabo Hamilton, Ronald Mayers, Lancelot Adonis, Cyon Kitt, Phabian Joseph, Glenroy Poole, Selwyn Henry, Osei McKenzie, Kevon David, O’Neil Charles and Joseph Rahaman.
Guadeloupe’s Squad: Paul Bessieres (Captain), Ryan Pascome, Jeremy Vassard, Emmanuel Mota, Thibault Azema, Edouard Deleau, Pierre Brun, Victor Jung, Valentin Lalo, Thibaut Berthomieu, Martin Giraud, Mickael Darcourt, Pierre Bochinger, Kyllian Jourson, Joeffrey Deledicque, Guillaume Leberton, Tony Collingwood, Enzo Borghesi, Dylan Pierre, Jean-Edouard Jourdan, Michel Payet, Yann Guenec and Hugo Delabroy.
