UAE rugby will pick up in time: Duncan Hall

Dubai: Duncan Hall, the outgoing UAE rugby performance manager, feels that rugby will take “at least a decade” to take firm root here in the UAE.

“Rugby in the UAE is heading very much in the right direction. It is all about improving as the structure is now in place. The boys have to keep working hard and more interest needs to be created. It will take time and at least a decade to be where other world teams are but it can happen,” said Hall, who resigned after 17 months in the job.

Hall went on to reveal that his resignation was purely because of family reasons and not made in the aftermath of the UAE’s relegation from the Top 5 of the Asian Five Nations. “This was a difficult assignment for me, a tough one. However, I have always relished these challenges. Understanding the religion, culture and then getting things going was all a challenge. I think I have done a decent job,” said Hall, who has previously coached in Indonesia, USA and Australia before joining UAE in January last year.

“It is not that I have resigned because I have got a better offer or something. My kids are having some issues and I need to sort that out quickly. It was like a storm you can say, I had to take that decision for my family,” revealed the Australian, who has also coached for English Premiership side Leicester Tigers and Worcester Warriors.

With the Asian Sevens Series just around the corner, the UAE Rugby Federation president Ian Bremner now has his task cut out to find a quick replacement for Hall. “Yes, Hall’s sudden and untimely exit is a blip for us but we are looking at finding someone at least for a short term. However, it is difficult to find someone of Hall’s stature so quickly. Hall had been a great asset for us and he will be missed,” said Bremner adding that the UAE team will still be capable of putting up a good show at the Asian Seven Series.