The post-mortem of Guyana’s recent rugby struggles started minutes after their 5-19 loss to Guadeloupe on Saturday and looks like it will continue in the forthcoming days, weeks and months.
Going into Saturday’s Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s South Zone Cup final at the National Park, Coach, Shane Grant-Stuart’s side was the heavy favourite to defeat the visitors.
But after 80+ minutes of inconsistent play, the local ruggers were still searching for a win which has eluded them since 2017.
In the match the Guyana team made a number of errors that have become all too familiar, over-throwing line-outs, putting kicks long, spilling high balls and stretches of porous defence.
The reality is that, the rest of the Caribbean has improved while Guyana’s rugby appears to be running downhill.
The proof is in the pudding.
During the Americas 15s Challenge last August in Colombia, the locals were drubbed 71-7 by the host in their opening match then historically dropped the ball against Paraguay, suffering its largest defeat in team history, an 86-7 debacle.
The forgettable campaign was wrapped up with a 36-48 loss against Mexico in their third and final game.
Lessons must be learnt and changes must be made for a turnaround.
Unless the Guyana Rugby Football Union absorbs the harsh lessons and puts the necessary systems in place on and off the field, the downward spiral will continue.
Grant-Stuart told the media that a new style of play would result in a victory but Saturday’s game was a massive reality check.
There are a lot of questions, about the play calling and the tactics of the coaching staff but also about which players the staff is trying to do that with. Grant-Stuart’s best players are not playing their best rugby and he needs to know why.
O’Neil Charles came off the bench to give Guyana its only try on Saturday.
‘The Green Machine’ was shaken to the core after their performance on Saturday.
And the only place they can put things right is on the field. Local rugby fans will be looking forward to a turn around in the latter part of the season. (Emmerson Campbell)
