WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: Americas, NACRA Trinidad Tobago in Guyana

02.06.2012
Trinidad Tobago v Guyana in Georgetown (WCQ Americas; NACRA South R2)

Venue: National Stadium, Providence

Referee: George Nicholson (Barbados)

Preview
Rivalry between these two nations goes back to the early sixties. They first met (Guyana as British Guiana) in 1961 in what was an early Caribbean competition. Trinidad Tobago won that game 17-5 in Kingston, Jamaica.

The rivalry is alive and well. Last year in the final game of the NACRA Caribbean Championship South round 3, Guyana caused a minor upset by knocking local team Trinidad Tobago out of the competition with a 22-20 win. Going back to 2008 and the teams clashed in the World Cup qualifying Caribbean Championship final played in Cayman Islands. Trinidad Tobago won that game 40-24 which meant it qualified to play a home-away series against Brazil, which it lost.

This season Guyana struggled against Barbados away whilst Trinidad Tobago defeated Barbados at home by a comfortable 32-3.

All-in-all I expect a close hard-fought encounter.

Last Five Encounters
26.05.2011 Guyana 22-20 in Port of Spain (NACRA Carib. Champ. South R3)
26.04.2008 Trinidad Tobago 40-24 in G.Cayman (WCQ Amer. NAWIRA B Final)
13.08.2005 Guyana 29-21 in Georgetown (WCQ Americas, Caribbean South)
1999 Trinidad Tobago 15-10
1993 Trinidad Tobago 48-7

Guyana Last Five
19.05.2012 v Barbados D 10-10 in Bridgetown (WCQ Americas, NACRA South R2)
22.06.2011 v Bermuda L 0-11 in Georgetown (NACRA Caribbean Champ., Final)
11.06.2011 v Barbados W 20-7 in Georgetown (NACRA Carib. Champ.,South R3)
26.05.2011 v Trinidad Tobago W 22-20 in Port of Spain (NACRA Carib. Champ.,South R3)
26.04.2008 v Trinidad Tobago L 24-40 in G.Cayman (WCQ Americas; NAWIRA B Cup, Final)

Trinidad Tobago last Five
05.05.2012 v Barbados W 32-3 in Port of Spain (WCQ Americas, NACRA South R2)
28.05.2011 v Guyana L 20-22 in Port of Spain (NACRA Caribbean Champ., South R3)
21.05.2011 v Barbados W 17-10 Bridgetown (NACRA Caribbean Champ., South R3)
25.09.2009 v Bermuda W 32-19 in Port of Spain (Friendly)
18.10.2008 v Brazil L 12-24 in Sao Paulo (WCQ Americas R1, Playoff 2nd leg)

GWC Rugby Rankings
NACRA Table-Guyana 3rd, Trinidad Tobago 5th

IRB Ranking Points
Trinidad Tobago 46.26, Guyana 42.71

Prediction: Trinidad Tobago by 4 points

Teams

Trinidad Tobago

Forwards: John Hill (Harvard), Miguel Lara (Caribs), Ernest Wright (Caribs), Adam Frederick (v capt)(Trinidad Northern), Jamal Clark (Caribs), Keishon Walker (Tobago), Wayne Kelly (Harvard/UTT), Rowell Gordon (Harvard), Felician Guerra (Royalians), Jason Joesph (Police), Jesse Richards (UWI), Kurt Quashie (Caribs)

Backs: Jonathan O'Connor (capt) (Northern), Don Rojas (Caribs), Joseph Quashie (Harvard/UTT), Jason Clark (Caribs), Agboola Silverthorn (Rainbow), James Phillip (Royalians), Justin McLean (Trinidad Northern), Tariq Cheekes (Harvard/Fatima), Kelson Figaro (Royalians) and Daryl Scott (Rainbow).

Coach: Larry Mendez

http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/2012-05-30/rugby-men-head-guyana-qualifier

Guyana

Props- Jason Tyrell and Rondell McArthur; Hooker- Alain Crawford; Second Row- Claude Prowell and Vallon Adams; Wing-Forwards- Richard Staglon and Dwayne Schroeder; Lock- Delon Downer; Half-Backs- Ryan Gonsalves and Peabo Hamilton; Three-Quarters- Rodwell Hutson, Theodore Henry, Claudius Butts and Claude Alexander; and Full-Back- Ronald Mayers.
The reserves are Cyon Kitt, Troy Arjune, Walter George, Avery Corbin, Rickford Cummings, Elwin Chase and Ryan Hinckson.

Head Coach: Theodore Henry

http://www.guyanatimesgy.com/2012/05/31/rugby-captain-coach-confident-of-victory/