The idea of the UAE qualifying for a Rugby World Cup once seemed far-fetched, even fanciful. Then, over the course of nine months, two things happened to make it seem just about possible – and in the near future, too.
First, World Rugby ratified the decision to expand the next World Cup, in Australia in 2027, from 20 to 24 teams. It meant an automatic qualification place for an extra Asian team at that event, in addition to Japan whose place in Australia was already assured.
Still, the effects of that low-key announcement in October 2023 did not have obvious immediate relevance to the game in the Emirates. The national team had only just bounced back to the top-flight of the Asian game, and were still seemingly far off the pace set by the top sides on the continent.
Then, in the heat of the summer in the desert, the national team made everyone else sit up and take note, by claiming their finest result to date - a first ever win over South Korea. When they subsequently beat Malaysia, again in the sweltering heat of June in Dubai, it gave them the runners-up berth in the Asia Rugby Championship for the first time.
A repeat of that in 2025 would not give them a place at the World Cup. It would, though, be good enough for them to participate at the repechage play-off, against sides from other continents, in a competition that carries with it the final qualifying place.
Their ambitions remain undimmed. They will host Hong Kong, who have been the best side in Asia – outside of Japan – for years now. They will again hope to use the soaring temperature of summer in Dubai as a weapon for them in that fixture.
Unlike in 2024, though, they will cede home advantage for the potentially pivotal game against South Korea. By which point, there could well be an extra spring in the step of the Koreans.
That unprecedented loss to the national team in the summer has already seemingly stung South Korea. They were much improved later in the year against a Zimbabwe side who put UAE to the sword in a friendly match in Dubai in November.
But there is a bigger reason to think the UAE might be met by the full force of a new South Korea next summer – and it involves Netflix.
The streaming service this month aired the first show of a new Korean series called Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die. It replicates reality shows which have already proved highly popular there, and involves rugby-related challenges, including scrum and kicking battles.
The show will also include a knockout competition to decide the country’s best rugby team.
If the show does deliver on its stated intention of inspiring people to follow and take up rugby, the stands might swell for the UAE’s visit in the ARC.
The fact the national team are even considering such lofty aims is a marker of the advance the game has made in the country over the past 12 months.
That is not confined to the traditional rugby-loving expatriate community. The UAE Rugby Federation’s development programme for the indigenous population also showed its clearest evidence of progress this year.
At the Dubai Sevens on the National Day weekend, the UAE Shaheen side inscribed their name on the Gulf Men’s League trophy for the first time.
There were seven good reasons why it was predictable Shaheen might make a success of their debut in that tournament. After all, their 12-player squad did have seven outstanding Fijian players in it – each of whom ranks among the leading players in the abridged format in the country.
Of greater significance was the fact the squad included five Emiratis. The winning try in the rout of Pegler Dragons in the final was scored by Mohammed Hatem, who only took up rugby as he thought it neatly married his twin favourite pursuits of football and wrestling.
On the same weekend, Al Maha, the pioneering side of Emirati females, showed more evidence of their increased competitiveness. They won two of their four matches in a Gulf Women’s tournament that also involved an all-Saudi side for the first time.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Company Profile
Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Scoreline
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 17
Jebel Ali Dragons 20
Harlequins Tries: Kinivilliame, Stevenson; Cons: Stevenson 2; Pen: Stevenson
Dragons Tries: Naisau, Fourie; Cons: Love 2; Pens: Love 2
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre V6
Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 355Nm at 5,200rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
Price: Dh179,999-plus
On sale: now
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
match details
Wales v Hungary
Cardiff City Stadium, kick-off 11.45pm
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: SimpliFi
Started: August 2021
Founder: Ali Sattar
Based: UAE
Industry: Finance, technology
Investors: 4DX, Rally Cap, Raed, Global Founders, Sukna and individuals
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
