Abu Dhabi Harlequins, UAE rugby dealt huge blow as club and country captain Ben Bolger forced to retire

Matt Jones - Editor 19:29 16/10/2017
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  • Ben Bolger has been one of the standout stars of UAE rugby since 2012

    Abu Dhabi Harlequins and UAE rugby was dealt a body blow on Monday when it was uncovered Ben Bolger has decided to retire from playing with immediate effect for health reasons.

    The talismanic Quins and UAE national team captain took the decision due to suffering numerous and increasingly frequent concussions throughout his career – the latest of which he sustained in his side’s 15-15 draw with West Asia Premiership rivals Bahrain on September 29.

    Bolger, who grew up playing rugby league and featured in nearly half a century of Super League games for London Broncos, is just 28 but has taken the decision with his health and family in mind.

    A true force of nature who is loved by opponents almost as much as he is by team-mates, Bolger broke the news to Quins colleagues at training on Monday night.

    Bolger, a relentless, all-action workhorse of a flanker, revealed he was ruled out by team physio Pat Milton after the Bahrain incident until 2018, and took the decision with wife Vicky to call it a day.

    “I’ve had concussions throughout my career. I seem to get into big collisions all the time,” said financial planner Bolger, who revealed he’s suffered as many as maybe 20 concussions in 23 years playing the game.

    “It’s part of rugby but they’ve started to come a bit too frequently and my health is more important.

    Bolger (c) lifting the UAE Premiership in April to cement the quintuple for Quins

    Bolger (c) lifting the UAE Premiership in April to cement the quintuple for Quins

    “I had the conversation after the Bahrain game. We get really well looked after by our physio Pat, by all the management and coaching staff. Pat and the staff said ‘you’re not playing until after Christmas’ whatever the scan says.

    “So I made the decision with my wife Vicky that it was an opportunity to call it a day.”

    Bolger suffered what he called a ‘minor’ concussion during Quins’ 29-29 draw with Kandy in Sri Lanka during the pre-season Western Clubs Champions League clash. He says minor even though he can’t recall the second half after he played on.

    “It only takes one more knock for it to be one too many,” he added.

    “It’s different if it was a dodgy hamstring but I’ve got the rest of my life ahead of me so it was the right decision to make. I can’t say the condition is getting worse but I guess the way I play has had something to do with it.

    “I try to be as physical as I can every week, which probably has a lot to do with it. The fact they’re coming a bit more quickly was definitely a factor in my decision.”

    Bolger is the archetypal rugby warrior in the mould of Richie McCaw, fearless yet astute. A ferocious competitor who leads by example but sees the big picture.

    Since arriving in the Emirates in 2012 he’s played in five consecutive Gulf Men’s League finals at the Dubai Sevens. He lost his first two to Jebel Ali Dragons but led Quins to a hat-trick of successes in 2016. His value to the club he’s represented with distinction for five years is immeasurable, even if the man himself admits he’s nowhere near the most talented player on the team.

    “I’m not necessarily the best ball carrier or the best player or have the most amazing feet,” said Bolger when asked if, in hindsight, he would have changed his combative style.

    “I just try and go out on a Friday and work harder than anyone else and be physical and get through the workload. That’s the sort of player I am.

    “I’m probably not the sort of player who’s the best to watch from the sidelines but that’s the value I like to think I give my team. And that’s me as a person too. So I wouldn’t change anything.

    “I’ve been involved in rugby my whole life. I’ve played 23 consecutive seasons, it’s all I’ve ever known. All my best mates are rugby players and I think that will continue, wherever I go.

    “Whether I move on I’ll always be involved with a club, but not being involved week in, week out, is going to be weird. There hasn’t been a game yet so I don’t suppose it’s sunk in.

    “Even if I end up coaching, not being out there and experiencing the emotions of playing in a final, that’s where it will hit me the most. If the boys are successful this season, not being there to have any effect or join in will probably really hurt.”

    Bolger captained the UAE during a disappointing three-loss series at the Asia Rugby Championship’s Division I earlier this year in Malaysia. That came after he led Quins to an unprecedented season of success in 2016/17 where the club fittingly won a quintuple – West Asia Premiership, UAE Premiership, Dubai Sevens, as well as West Asia Cup and Champions League.

    Ben Bolger in UAE training ahead of the Asia Rugby Championship in April

    Ben Bolger in UAE training ahead of the Asia Rugby Championship in April

    He admits the three defeats to Malaysia, Sri Lanka and his good friend Phil Abraham’s Philippines at international level has left a slightly sour taste, but he doesn’t have many regrets having made arguably the hardest decision of his life.

    “I’ve achieved a lot in five years, domestically and then I got the chance to captain the UAE,” he said.

    “It leaves a sour taste that we didn’t perform to our potential in Division I this year. I would have liked to have been successful in Malaysia.

    “When Niall Statham got injured in 2016 I took on the captaincy for that tournament and we won it (Division II), but it would have been nice on the 2017 tour to be successful and made an impact. It’s the only sour taste.

    “After such a successful season domestically with Quins, to not go and perform when it mattered in Malaysia was disappointing, but looking back, we’ve always been in finals with Quins or won something most seasons.

    “Five trophies in one season and being the captain through all of that is special. I’ve played in five Dubai Sevens finals. Lost the first two, won the last three. Then to captain the UAE, I don’t feel like I’ve left any stones unturned so I’m pretty content with how things have gone.”

    Rugby offers those who play it the chance to forge special bonds, something that Bolger feels grateful that he will still get to be a part of.

    “I started the season as the first team captain so I think it would be wrong to abandon the season,” Bolger said, admitting he’ll still head down to Zayed Sports City on a Friday night to get his ‘fix’.

    Former Quins player Mike Ballard was forced to quit in 2014 after breaking his back

    Former Quins player Mike Ballard was forced to quit in 2014 after breaking his back

    “All my really close mates are there, it’s been such a big part of my life here. Socially it’s been my escape from work so I’ll still use that on the weekend. It will be my fix for the week, banter with the boys.”

    Bolger also paid tribute to the many messages he had received from friends and rival players since news leaked out.

    He added: “I’ve had a lot of messages from different clubs wishing me the best of luck and talking about how they enjoyed our battles against each other so I’d like to thank them for that. It’s a really good reflection of what UAE rugby’s about and how everyone looks after each other.”

    Dragons’ Scottish scrum-half and skipper Ross Samson described Bolger as someone opponents both loved and loathed playing against in equal measure.

    “I’m gutted for Benny having to retire,” said Samson. “The guy’s an animal, we love and hate playing against him. Dragons boys are thinking of him and our thoughts are with him and Quins.”

    It’s the end of an era for one of UAE rugby’s most iconic figures in recent years, but Quins coach Mike McFarlane believes Bolger has made the right decision.

    “It’s a huge loss for the club both on and off the pitch,” said McFarlane.

    “He’s an inspiring leader, a top class player and someone who breathes the club culture. We’ve been through some battles together and couldn’t have had a better season last year and I’ve learnt a lot from him.

    “As a good friend it’s the right decision and like any player at the club, their health and safety is paramount. He will still be involved, imparting his wisdom on the boys, and will continue to be an important part of the Quins make-up.”

    Bolger’s news comes after Dubai Exiles winger Ed James also retired early, aged just 27, earlier this year after suffering concussion in a freak accident playing against Bahrain in January. Quins winger Chris Marshall has only returned to the first-team fold this season following two years out with a dislocated shoulder. It also evokes memories of Mike Ballard. The American broke his back and was left wheelchair-bound following an injury sustained playing against Dragons in the West Asia Champion Club final in April 2014.

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