Young 7s pups ready to step up

When Bermuda men’s 7s team take to the field tomorrow at the 2013 North America Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) tournament in the Cayman Islands, two players will perhaps be more jittery than most.

For Keyanho Bean and Josh Deallie it will be the first time either have been on a men’s tour.

Big guys will be dishing out some big hits during one of the most physically demanding sports out there.

But the two young Bermudians can’t wait to embrace the challenge and wasted little time extolling the virtues of a game that  has them hooked.

“Well, I used to be a fat boy,” Deallie, 17, told the Bermuda Sun when asked how he had improved his game from turning out for the under-14s.

“I love the bonding within the team and the aggressiveness in the sport — putting a good hit into someone.”

The Bermuda College student added: “I was surprised to be selected. I had started training with them just to get fit for pre-season and they said ‘you’re good enough’ and I was like ‘wow’.”

The men’s 7s team have been handed a tough group, with fancied Mexico and Jamaica standing in their way of qualifying to the top-eight Cup competition by finishing in the top two in their pool.

Prop Deallie remains confident: “When we click as a team our defence is impeccable.

“We have great speed on the wings and everyone in our team loves to put in a tackle.”

Alongside Deallie in the squad is 17-year-old CedarBridge Academy student Bean. He admits the nerves have already kicked in.

“To tell you the truth I’m kind of scared because I’ve never played men’s 7s  before.”

“I have high hopes,” he added. “We have some great players so I think we can qualify.”

A forward or a winger, Bean just wants to learn more about a game he has clearly fallen in love with.

“I expect to gain more experience — I want to learn more and just have a great time and enjoy myself.

“Ever since I was young I tried a lot of sports. I came to my senses that I just didn’t like a lot of sports because I like contact.

“I found something I love and I’m now into it — rugby is just amazing.

“It’s a great stress reliever, it relieves pain, although you take pain as well! But there’s good in that. Rugby is just the greatest.”

The NACRA games will be played at the Truman Bodden National Stadium and the tournament also doubles as the qualifier for the 2014 CACSO Games in Veracruz, Mexico.

The top four men’s Caribbean teams will join hosts Mexico, while the top three women’s teams plus Mexico, will compete in 2014. 

To add further incentive, the top men’s Commonwealth team is likely to be invited to participate in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, along with Canada. 

The top four women’s teams will also be invited to the Tobago Sevens in December. 

Men’s squad

1. Andrew Landy

2. Richard Cumbers

3. Daniel Cole

4. Tasjon Desilva

5. Keyanho Bean

6. Tommy Edwards

7. Henry Paddison

8. Tom Healy

9. Gareth Williams

10. Darren Richardson

11. Josh Deallie

12. Corey Boyce

Men’s Pool C

1. Mexico

2. Jamaica

3. Bermuda

4. BVI

Schedule

The games will be shown live on Cayman Rugby TV — new.livestream.com/crfutv

(Times are Bermuda)

Saturday

Men’s

12.40 v Mexico

16.30 v Jamaica

19.40 v BVI

Women’s

10.40 v T&T

14.30 v Jamaica

17.40 v Curacao

Women’s squad

1. Kelli Nusum

2. Erica McArthur

3. Deneka Borden

4. Mika Tomita

5. Jillian Smith

6. Anthi Xipolia

7. Amanda Swan

8. Karly Alleyne

9. Jessica Gilbert

10. Caroline Aberhart

Women’s Pool B

1. Trinidad & Tobago

2. Jamaica

3. Bermuda

4. Curacao