DUBAI // Roelof Kotze, the UAE performance manager, said the national Under-20 sevens side will be in unknown territory when they play tournaments on successive weekends for the first time in the Asian Sevens Series.
The age-group side fly to Malaysia on Wednesday evening for this weekend’s opening leg of the new-format series. It will be followed by a direct trip to Hong Kong for the second leg next weekend.
The back-to-back competitions make more financial sense for travelling sides than the split series of the past, but it could represent a gruelling programme for the young players.
“It could help build momentum playing two weeks in a row, but it will be interesting to see how the players cope,” Kotze said. “It might be a formula for future circuits. If you are exposed to a tour like this, it is always a good thing.
“The only worry we might have is seeing if we can maintain a full squad for the second week.”
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Three of the leading players from last year’s U20 campaign have since moved abroad to study, while Charlie Sargent, the Exiles wing, is too old to qualify.
Kotze is still confident the new side are capable of improving on the sixth-place finish in last season’s series.
The South African coach said a top-four finish will represent success this time around.
“The mistakes we made that cost us in Hong Kong last year we have addressed and I think we have fixed them,” he said.
“We want to be third or fourth, at worst, that is what we are aiming for.
“Our Emirati players have taken a step up, have a year more experience, and the expats we have can provide a little bit of something special.”
UAE Under-20 squad Kipruto Chirchir, Tomasi Tirikula, Khalid Al Junaibi, Hamad Al Shkeili, Devante Steele, Younes Al Blooshi, Abdullah Al Shkeili, Ebrahim Doraee, Majid Al Balooshi, Jeremy Kilicanasau, Fahad Sabt, Adel Al Hendi
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Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
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MATCH INFO
Hoffenheim v Liverpool
Uefa Champions League play-off, first leg
Location: Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
Kick-off: Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
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Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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SPECS
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
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Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
