Banks DIH backs Green Machine in battle for Rugby Americas North overall title against USA Panthers

Jul 28, 2017 Sports, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....gainst-usa-panthers/

-Scrum-off is 14:00hrs at National Park Track and Field facility tomorrow

Guyana’s national men’s Rugby team popularly known as
the “Green Machine” will be seeking to re-enact the script from 2014 when they overcame USA 30-27 in extra time at the Life University facility, USA to claim the RAN 15s overall title.
Tomorrow, in the Land of Many waters, the “Green Machine’ will host the USA Panthers and the visitors will be seeking to exact revenge when they take to the National Park Track and Field Facility.
Banks DIH through their Coca Cola brand has thrown its support behind the Guyanese once again, as they did when the local ruggers hosted and defeated Trinidad and Tobago on June 10 last to reclaim their RAN South Zone title for the third successive year.
The local ruggers were expecting to play Mexico for the overall title but the North Americans suffered a shock defeat to Cayman Islands in their last game of the season and awarded USA Panthers the rugby Americas South zone title.
The Panthers arrived last night and were scheduled to begin training this morning for the 2014 RAN 15s overall title rematch which will scrum off at 14:00hrs, tomorrow.
At yesterday’s sponsorship handing over ceremony at the Banks DIH boardroom, Thirst Park, Public Relations officer of the company Troy Peters related that he is looking forward to see this team, “Green Machine” in full swing.
”Coca Cola and Banks DIH are behind Guyana’s Green Machine. We saw this team’s full potential when they made light work of Trinidad last month and we are looking forward to Saturday which promises a lot of action.”
USA Panthers will comprise of a strong 31-man team for this match that will be officiated by Dave Sherwin (Referee) along with Justin Colgan (Assistant Ref 1) and Kevin Merilee (Assistant Ref 2).
Speaking at the launch, Patron of the Guyana Rugby Football Union, Kit Nascimento explained the importance of the Guyana vs. USA Panthers game. “This game is the equivalent of the CONCACAF Gold Cup”. USA were fortunate to edge Jamaica on Wednesday night but Nascimento predicted a loss for the nation. He noted support as key, “Guyanese, let’s come out and support the Green Machine as we seek regional supremacy in Rugby” he related.
”Green Machine” Captain, Ryan Gonsalves, stated that he is aware of the Physical advantage the USA Panthers team holds. That team comprises of even larger players than Trinidad & Tobago which Guyana defeated for the Rugby Americas North, South Zone title.
Gonsalves said that the “Green Machine” hasn’t been able to do much physical training “With the weather, the team has been focusing on the technical aspect of their game”, he added.
With the opportunity of playing at home, Captain Gonsalves exclaimed delight, “Playing a team like USA at home in Guyana is very motivating, knowing that we will have the home crowd on our side. It is much, much better than having to play Mexico at home.”
Guyana was pegged to play Mexico for the overall title but they suffered a shock defeat to the Cayman Islands and gifted USA Panthers, who were trailing on points closely behind, the title.
Coach of the GRFU 15s team Shane Grant-Stuart said that he had not seen a lot of the Panthers team and that there is not a direct plan but, “I am confident of the squad. We have guys that can play throughout the 90 minutes and on the day we will make adjustments based on the way the game plays out.”
Kaieteur Sport is orging all Rugby fans and supporters to come out and support our Green Machine tomorrow.