[www.inewsguyana.com] – Guyana conquered all at the recently concluded North American and Caribbean Rugby Association’s (NACRA) Championships which was held in Mexico.However, instead of returning to a hero’s welcome, the triumphant team that was the only unbeaten team in the tournament returned as regular human beings as though their come from behind win against Mexico in the final meant nothing.
The team on arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, was met by a rejoicing Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) President and rugby official as well as the media but none from the government that supported the team showed up.
Coach of the team Theodore Henry spoke a bit about the lukewarm welcome.
“Winning 15’s and seven’s rugby in one calendar year is no easy feat and if this was any other team or any other country we would have been celebrated.
“We came off the plane and went through the same regular process, so I’m a bit upset about that personally,” Henry stated.
However, the lukewarm welcome did not stop the national ruggers from celebrating as most as the team touted debutant Patrick King as the man to help then win the final as he scored four tries in the final.
“To go out there and perform the way I did, I couldn’t have done it without the experienced guys on this team, to know that I helped Guyana win this title on my first try is a great feeling and I couldn’t ask for better,” King stated.
Captain of the team Ryan Gonsalves commended the heart of the team.
“The word in huddle was belief, we were down 21-5 at the half and to know we were able to come back and win says a lot, a lot of teams in that position would have given up but we never gave up, we kept going at them,” Gonsalves stated.
Guyana won the final 33-28 after trailing 21-5 at the half.
The win now means that Guyana has qualified for the PAN American Games in July of 2015 where they will be able to play for a spot at the Olympics.
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Congratulations Ruggers!