UAE enters three teams for Dubai Sevens
Federation buoyed by news of IRB full member status
Dubai: The UAE enters three teams into this weekend’s Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, lifted by the news they have just been accepted as a full member union by the International Rugby Board [IRB].
Unfortunately the hosts won’t be competing in the main Sevens World Series event as hosts, as they did last year, because the IRB has decided that only the world’s top 16 teams can compete in series events.
But news that the 2011-formed federation has been fast-tracked to full membership status by the IRB, after first gaining associate membership earlier this year, is further proof that the UAE Rugby Federation is moving in the right direction with its programme to develop the game across the region.
The UAE will be fielding a mixed expatriate and national select team in the Men’s International Invitational competition, an all-Emirati UAE Shaheen side in the Gulf Men’s League, and a women’s team in the Women’s International Invitational.
Ian Bremner, UAE RF CEO, said: “Full IRB status is not a destination but a bus stop in our journey to drive the game forward on all fronts.
“It endorses the fact that we’re on the right track and enables us to qualify to IRB competitions and get a world ranking. In terms of driving the game forward, it gives us a timely boost.
“What we’d like to see happen overnight, but probably won’t, is an improved standard of play. All three teams will be challenged this weekend, exposed to a playing level that is beyond what they are used to, which brings challenges but is exactly what we need at this stage in our development.”
The UAE Select will welcome two overseas players on loan for the weekend in the shape of Calvin Karmozes and Zomuhle Mbona in what is hoped to be the start of a two-way player exchange with South Africa’s Natal Sharks Academy. Bremner added that this would further expose local expatriate players to a higher standard of preparation.
The UAE select will be up against Moscow at 9.40am on Friday, Samurai Wailers from 11.40am and the Royals from 3pm in Pool B. All matches will be played on Pitch Three.
Shaheen face Doha at 7.20pm on Thursday before taking on Abu Dhabi Harlequins A at 5.20pm on Friday and Jebel Ali Dragons B at 7.40pm. The Pool B matches will also be played on Pitch Three.
The women, who only made their competitive debut in the Pune Sevens in India last month, will play Moscow at 10.30am, Maple Leaves at 12.30pm, Tuks at 3pm and Swedish at 6pm on Friday. They will then play Kenya at 8.40am on Saturday. Matches will played on pitches six, three, five, four and five respectively.
