Dubai: Two newly formed UAE national teams will make their inaugural appearance on rugby’s international stage this weekend.
The U19 squad will compete against Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in Almaty in division three of the 2012 ARFU [Asian Rugby Football Union] Age Group Championships, while the Women’s sevens team will play in the 16 nation Asian Women’s Rugby Sevens in Pune, India.
Pune doubles up as a qualifier for the 2013 Women’s Rugby Sevens World Cup to be held in Moscow, Russia, and the U19’s round robin will see the group winner promoted to division two.
“This is a great opportunity to pitch these sides against quality players and teams who have previous international experience,” said performance manager Duncan Hall. “We will need to adapt quickly and step up from domestic level rugby to an international level which will allow us to gauge our competitive abilities as an international rugby nation”.
UAE RA Deputy Secretary, Qais Al Dhalai added: “To compete at an international standard is both very exciting and rewarding. We look forward to seeing these teams gain valuable experience through these tournaments.”
U19’s schedule:
Thursday October 4 (UAE local time);
2pm - UAE v Uzbekistan
Saturday October 6 (UAE local time);
2pm - Kazakhstan v UAE
U19 Squad
1 Adel Al Hendi
2 Joshua Appleby
3 Richard Aucamp
4 Matt Baker (C)
5 Hayden Becker
6 Tom Boyle
7 Patrick Camaivuna
8 Conor Cassidy
9 Callum Duncan
10 JJ Fanucci
11Iziq Foa-l
12 Jordan Hamilton
13 Sirilo Laladidi
14 Stan Langton
15 Raoul Larkins
16 Nico Nel
17 Greg Newman
18 Douw Smit
19 Michael Stubbs
20 Rikus Swart
21 Semi Tirikula
22 Matthew Travers
23 Jan Venter
24 Robbie Wood
