Rugby Sevens team looks to improve World Cup performance

Jamaica’s male rugby team will be looking to claim a first win in their second Rugby World Cup Sevens which starts today in Cape Town, South Africa.

The team has already made history by becoming the first Jamaican senior male team to qualify for back-to-back World Cups, but the team’s technical director, Bruce Martin, says they want to push their success further by improving their last-place finish from the 2018 World Cup held in San Francisco, United States.

“We hope to win a game and move our country up, as we are projected to finish last again in this Rugby World Cup,” Martin said. “I can promise Jamaica that we will improve our last place from our first Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2018.”

He said the team’s athletic ability will help them to do well but their approach going into the tournament will also be a plus.

“Unity, family, belief in one’s self and each other, that’s the approach in camp,” Martin said. He added that the team’s athletic ability is very high but they are volunteers and amateur players who will be playing against professionals who play rugby full-time.

Cameron Melville, who will co-captain the team alongside Tyler Bush, said he wants to do his part in helping the squad achieve their goals.

“The team’s goals are not about individual highlights or even the results of the game. If we give 100 per cent effort, I will be happy because you can’t expect more than that. Getting the most out of our squad is my role and I will do this by leading the physical battle on the field and reminding the players of what we can achieve,” Melville said.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY

With a number of young players joining the squad, the 20-year-old said this is a great opportunity for the youth.

“This experience is huge for the younger players. It’s the biggest platform there is, and so playing on it is going to give us so much experience and maturity as players,” the co-captain said.

Chairman of the Jamaica Rugby Football Union, Jerry Benzwick, said this is a proud moment for Jamaica and their achievements will continue to help advance the sport among Jamaicans.

“I am very proud of our senior men’s sevens team. They continue to blaze an unprecedented yet underrated trail. We are expecting our first win at the World Cup and, if things go in our favour, we will have more than just a win but several wins,” Benzwick said.

Technical director Martin said the team hopes to get more recognition for their performances locally.

Martin said the players feel like outcasts in the Jamaican sporting world but the team is confident that they will do well.

A total of 13 men’s teams will participate in the tournament, with Jamaica facing Scotland in their first match today.

Sharla Williams