New Jebel Ali Dragons director of rugby Paul Hart has labelled last season “simply not good enough” and says the club won’t accept the same failure in 2015/16.
The 37-year-old admits the Centre of Excellence outfit are in a transitional period but hopes Dragons will roar once more after a dismal campaign saw them deposed as UAE Premiership, Dubai Sevens and West Asia champions.
Dragons surrendered their Premiership and Sevens titles to Abu Dhabi Harlequins, while new force Abu Dhabi Saracens took their West Asia crown.
Jebel Ali looked a shadow of the team that won successive trebles in 2012/13 and 2013/14 but Hart, a former Worcester Warriors player, insists the club will show their fighting spirit this season.
One of his first tasks as director of rugby has been to oversee the appointment of new first team coach Bruce Pendrey, who spent a year learning under the coaches at New Zealand Super Rugby side Canterbury Crusaders’ academy.
Pendrey is just 26 but Hart revealed the club is excited by his arrival.
“He is young but extremely talented and motivated and we don’t see his age as a problem,” said Hart.
“He came highly recommended and we gave him a month trial. We knew within the first hour he was the guy for us. We’re excited to have him.”
Hart is entering his fifth year with Dragons, who he captained to their first treble in 2012/13. Fortunes have altered a little since, but the Englishman is adamant the club can recover from last season’s debacle.
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“We want to draw a line under last season,” he said. “I’ve heard the excuses of injuries and investment by other clubs, but we’re judged on results and results were simply not good enough.
“We won’t accept the same this season. We’re rebuilding, it’s a really important season, but we want to bounce straight back.”
As well as changes off the field, there will be plenty on it too, although a lot of the new faces are actually familiar, with several players either returning to the club after stints away or on the sidelines last season.
Former Leinster No8 Richie Leyden is returning to Jebel Ali after a two-year absence for what he says will be a swansong.
Back-rower and UAE international Adam Telford is back after a bicep injury last pre-season ruled him out for the entire campaign.
South African flanker Byron Kraemer, described by Hart as one of the best players in the UAE in the last decade, also returns after injury, with Dan Bell and Andy Russell. Sri Lankan full-back Imad Reyal, meanwhile, is also back in the fold after a season playing in New Zealand.
“I’m excited for the new season now,” said Hart.
“There is a good feeling about the club. We are determined to right a few wrongs.
“No-one enjoyed watching the decline of the team but our strength this year will be on a par with our treble winning teams.”
Ex-London Irish and London Scottish scrum-half Ross Samson will be first team captain, with Mike Taylor second and Ian Jones third team/veterans skipper.
The club is also close to confirming a backs coach.
