Dubai It is their debut outing on a stage as big as the Rugby World Cup Sevens.
But assume the tournament represents a learning curve for the Arabian Gulf at your own risk. Coach Mike Lunjevich certainly isn't willing to entertain any such theories.
After watching his men go through their paces at Dubai College for one final time before kicking off their opening Pool A fixture with Tonga today, Lunjevich fired an ominous warning to his team's opponents. “We're not hoping to learn anything, we're hoping to win the games. We're not here to make up the numbers,'' the New Zealand-born coach told XPRESS.
“We've come out here and put a lot of effort into this, and we didn't put all that effort to come and learn at this tournament but to perform well.''
The 12-member squad led by the ever-resilient Dubai Exiles forward Stephen Cooper looked in good shape in a light training drill capped off with a friendly match against Hong Kong. And Lunjevich, carefully monitoring proceedings from the sidelines, was more than pleased with what he saw.
“We've got a few things to work on, but I think that's the case with every team,'' he said. “There were some positives towards the end there. We have spent a lot of time working on a lot of things.
It's just fine tuning now. It's too late to try and change things now. We are pretty happy with where we are and we'll see how we get on in the tournament.''
Tonga, one of the tournament favourites New Zealand, and Italy await the Arabian Gulf, but the players have also had to fight against their demanding full-time daily schedules to make their best preparations. Lunjevich saluted their efforts saying: “These guys start at six in the morning and don't finish until 11 in the night, so am I pleased with their sacrifices? Absolutely. And it's not just these 12, it's all the other guys who have been training with us who didn't make it. So these are the lucky ones who get to dream. Now they've got to perform for themselves, the whole region and the other players too,'' he said.
Jonny macdonald
English, 20
It means everything to me. It's a massive experience for me because I don't think I would get such an opportunity anywhere else in the world. Hopefully we can cause a few upsets.
Taif al delamie
Omani-Irish, 22
It's a huge honour for all of us to be representing this region. From all the backing we have had from our coaches and everybody else. I just can't wait to get going this weekend.
Stephen Cooper
South African, 29
None of us have played on a stage like this before. We work for a living, but for this one week, we feel a lot higher than that. Once we get the tournament behind us, we will be a very different side for sure.
Sean Hurley
Australian, 31
It is something special to be honest. It is every kid's dream to play in any kind of World Cup. Most of us are from different countries. If we haven't played for our national teams, then this is pretty much the next best thing.
Chris Gregory
English 28
It's a massive thing. My dad lived here for 25 years and I have lived here for six years, so it's home at the moment. I'm proud to represent them and I hope the team does well.
