Saturday, August 21 2010

TRINIDAD and Tobago and Bermuda will scrum down today in the championship match of the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Under-19 15-a-side rugby tournament. The teams advanced to the final following contrasting endeavours in their respective semi-final encounters. The match will be staged at the Winton Rugby Centre just outside Nassau, Bahamas.

On Monday TT struggled to get the better of Barbados eventually winning 14-0 after a hard fought nil-nil first half. Bermuda on the other hand registered an emphatic 22-0 win over defending champions Cayman Islands on Wednesday. There was a time in the late 1970s to mid-90s when Bermuda was TT’s nemesis in senior men’s rugby.

Bermuda, however, were never a powerhouse at age grade level. But a few years ago the Bermuda rugby football union established a development programme. TT last won the Under-19 title in 2001.

Since that time Guyana 2002-2005, Jamaica 2006-2007 and Cayman Islands 2008-2009 have ruled the day. Bermuda will probably rely on a scrum oriented game today while TT, lighter in weight, would seek to stick to a wider more expansive running game.

This strategy that would favour their speed and what would be required from both teams will be discipline and concentration as defensive and handling errors will prove costly. Bermuda will go into the championship match with the North Caribbean support on their side and an emphatic semi-final win under their belt. TT will have a tough task but a win is not beyond the young Calypso Warriors. Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) selection committee chairman Curtis Nero said getting to an Under-19 final is a significant objective for both teams given the potential impact it can have on senior rugby.

“It is great that the national team archrivals are at it again. I well remember the days at senior level when Bermuda was the team to beat and we (TT) were considered impudent pretenders to the throne.

“Bermuda have never really done well at Under-19 level. Since 2001 we have also struggled at Under-19 level. It is an intriguing match up. But I am confident.

“We have an experienced technical staff with the youngsters.

Former men’s national coach Gregory Rousseau is the manager, former national players Sean O’Farrell is the Head Coach and Maurice Valere is the Assistant Coach.

“New Zealand Technical Director Murray Roulston have a wealth of big game experience. I am sure the youngsters will have some butterflies and nervous energy but discipline, focus and composure will be essential,” he said.