Brad Janes is confident the UAE can bounce back from their opening night humbling in the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) when they face South Korea on Saturday.
The national team were soundly beaten 43-10 by Hong Kong in the first fixture of the campaign at The Sevens, Dubai at the weekend.
History suggested the game was likely to be tough for the home team. Hong Kong have won the past five ARCs, and are the favourites to claim the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifying place which is on offer to the winners of this year’s tournament.
However, the UAE had entered the competition full of optimism after a fine performance last season, when they finished second for the first time.
That result encouraged the UAE Rugby Federation to arrange an unprecedented programme of matches to ready them for this ARC, given the prize on offer.
The winners qualify directly for the World Cup, while the runners-up will also enter a system of repechage games for the final place at that event.
The national team have had matches against Zimbabwe and Germany, as well as a tour to Kenya in preparation for the Hong Kong fixture. But they then fell flat when the ARC kicked off.
Janes scored the lone try, as the UAE briefly threatened to fight back from a nervy start, only for Hong Kong to assert their class thereafter.
The Jebel Ali Dragons flanker was not downcast after the defeat, though, and says there will be an improvement when they face Korea in Incheon on Saturday.
“This was our first 80 minutes together as a squad,” Janes said. “We went to Kenya, which was a great challenge, but it was a bit disjointed being three 30-minute sections with rotating teams.
“This is our first platform to build off. Taking that in mind, there are positives to work with. There were good things.
“When we come to kick-off against Korea next week, that warming-up period should be out the way. We should be hitting the ground running.”
Janes’ personal performance was the most obvious positive for the national team. On debut, the openside flanker made yards every time he carried the ball, as was best shown when he powered over for the home side’s only try.
“Brad was outstanding,” Jacques Benade, the UAE coach, said. “He is a workhorse, and he used his feet well in the contact area.
“He is not the biggest boy, but when he carries, we actually make yards. We need to learn from that in what we are doing, because we do have the carriers. [Hong Kong’s] defence was well organised, but it is something we need to fix.”
Benade will be glad to have been able to call Janes into the side for his competitive debut. He has been one of the leading loose forwards in the domestic game in recent seasons, and has just become eligible under World Rugby’s residency rules.
“It is a great opportunity and privilege to be in the national team with the boys now,” Janes said.
“It has always been an aspiration of mine since I arrived [in Dubai]. I knew a couple of the boys from the Dragons were playing, and it was something I looked up to.
“I had a goal in mind and I am happy to reach here, play for the national team, and represent the UAE. It is such an amazing opportunity and I am super grateful. Just to be here representing the country is such an honour.
“The management have given us the confidence to go after it, and that is what we are going to do next week.”
Benade says his side need to work harder if they are to turn around their fortunes against the Koreans, who won their opening game against Sri Lanka.
“Our work rate wasn’t good enough,” Benade said. “You decide how quick you want to make that game. Are we going to get set fast? Are we going to get in positions where we need to be?
“Sometimes I thought we just weren’t there. It is a lot of hard work. We have a big pack, but if you play a big pack you have to dominate the set piece.
“We will learn from this and get better. There are a lot of things we can do in the next few sessions.”
23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
'Downton Abbey: A New Era'
Director: Simon Curtis
Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan
Rating: 4/5
Western Clubs Champions League:
- Friday, Sep 8 - Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Bahrain
- Friday, Sep 15 – Kandy v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
- Friday, Sep 22 – Kandy v Bahrain
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.
Opening day UAE Premiership fixtures, Friday, September 22:
- Dubai Sports City Eagles v Dubai Exiles
- Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
- Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women & the Food That Tells Their Stories
Laura Shapiro
Fourth Estate
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
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The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
