Abu Dhabi Saracens determined to make most of self-relegation to UAE Conference

Matt Jones - Editor 18:00 19/09/2018
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  • Sarries skipper Jonny Taylor is one of the few players to have stuck with the club through its demise.

    Abu Dhabi Saracens head coach Peter Henderson says he and his players possess “unbridled determination” to make the best of the situation they find themselves in – negotiating the murky waters of UAE rugby’s second tier.

    The capital city side took the decision a few weeks ago to self-relegate themselves from the West Asia and UAE Premierships, and they will play the 2018/19 season in the UAE conference, fielding only one senior men’s side for the campaign.

    The club called the decision “responsible and realistic”. It was taken by the club at a committee meeting, with a view to continuing the rebuild after a turbulent few years for the 2015 West Asia champions.

    Despite a few seasons of struggle, Sarries seem to have collect themselves towards the tail end of last season and over the summer, with structures put in place both on and off the field to ensure the club has a long term future.

    They took the decision to play this term in the second tier in a bid to stablilise themselves, in the hope that taking a step back results in two being taken forward.

    Jaen Botes is one of a large numbers of Sarries' departures in recent seasons.

    Jaen Botes is one of a large numbers of Sarries’ departures in recent seasons.

    “It’s a fresh start for Sarries,” said Henderson.

    “New players, a new culture and it’s time for all the hard work to start to come together.

    “The feeling to drop down has been met with unbridled determination to make the best of it. Some of our best players who deserve UAE jerseys have the pride and respect for the club and their team-mates to know what we as a club need to do to re-establish Sarries.

    “None more so than the captain Jonathon Taylor and vice captain Lucien Ruiters.”

    South African flanker Taylor has stuck with Sarries through thick and thin. He is heading into his fifth year at the club and has remained loyal to the Al Ghazal club while others have departed for fresh challenges abroad and elsewhere in the UAE.

    Of beginning life this weekend against another side with top-tier experience who’ve fallen on hard times in recent years, Al Ain Amblers, Henderson added: “For us there’s no difference if we were to prepare for a Premiership, West Asia, Conference or Community League game.

    “The integrity and passion is always there from a Sarries player.”

    Sarries were champions of West Asia just three years ago.

    Sarries were champions of West Asia just three years ago.

    The Conference gets under way this Friday alongside the West Asia Premiership, but Henderson insists his and the club’s focus will be entirely on Amblers at Al Ghazal, and not on where the club might end up at the end of the current season should they win the Conference title.

    “The players and I demand nothing short of compete commitment to the game this weekend,” added Henderson.

    “We’ll welcome Al Ain as we do all clubs who come to Al Ghazal and will show them the respect of a good game.

    “Al Ain are never easy. They have the potential to upset any team on their day.

    “We respect them immensely and that’s why we’ve worked so hard, especially this past week.

    “We want to give our best and give them our best. They have some talented players in the midst and we won’t underestimate them.”

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