The chase for bragging rights between the Cayman Islands and Mexico continues as the two rugby XV teams prepare to lock horns on Saturday, 7 Dec., at Deportivo Alfredo Harp Helú in Mexico City.
For team Cayman, it’s about redemption after their last outing ended in a defeat to the Mexicans in their ‘Big Game X’ at Truman Bodden Sports Complex earlier this year.
In 2022, the Cayman men dominated Mexico 35-14, and they will be hoping to add another win on their record when they meet again.
“It’s a team we know very well. This will be the third time that I’ve played them, my first appearance was in 2021,” Mike Luxton, team captain, told the Compass. “The primary focus is to go up there and win the fixture.
“Make no mistake about it, we certainly want to go up there and win but I think that for a lot of young guys … and some of the guys that haven’t sort of been a part of the squad up until this point, it’s going to be an eye-opener in terms of the level of intensity and physicality.”
From left, Cayman rugby captain Mike Luxton and Richard McAree, rugby manager. – Photo: Seaford Russell Jr
The men just recently enjoyed a victory over Bermuda in May. Now, according to Luxton, the Cayman team will welcome 11 newcomers for the Mexico match.
However, Luxton and many others have been pulled in different directions over the last several months with RANs 7 competition as well, which has caused hiccups on the training grounds with the games requiring different strategies.
Richard McAree, rugby manager for Cayman, said he remains confident that his team will pull off the victory despite minor setbacks leading up to the game, telling the Compass that this is not a typical fixture time.
“Regrettably, that means that there’s been an impact in our training because the focus at this time has been on the sevens,” McAree said, while noting the young squad’s promising potential upside.
“We have an incredible [mix] of young players and experience within the group, so it’s a nice blend. It’s probably fair to say it’s a team in transition,” he said. “Everybody is absolutely confident that these guys can go in, do their very best and hold their own.”
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