Apollo Perelini is preaching patience with his fledgling young Shaheen side as they prepare for their first foray into competitive rugby with the new third-tier Community League getting underway Friday.
The all-Emirati team open up their campaign with a home tie against Jebel Ali Dragons 3rds at 7he Sevens, with former dual code Samoa international Perelini believing it will take time for them to adjust.
However, he thinks they will learn quickly and will grow as the season unfolds.
“I’m not one to have a knee-jerk reaction and tell them they’ve learnt enough, it’s time to win. This is a three-five year plan,” said the New Zealand born coach.
“The more they understand the better they become and I think it’ll look after itself. I think there will need to be a bit of patience at the start but I think they’ll grow into the season.”
Perelini’s main aim is to improve players who, though talented, are more equipped to play the quicker sevens version of the game.
“My main aim is to get each player upskilled and understanding the game of rugby,” he said.
“That’s the biggest job. People look and think it’s easy. Tackle, catch and pass the ball, hit a ruck.
“There’s a lot to it and as soon as they buy into the understanding and philosophies we’re trying to implement the outcome will look after itself.
“Repitition, drumming it in, is important. The All Blacks, they do catch and pass every session.
“A simple drill, the same drill all the top international teams do on regular basis. They never underestimate the basics.
“They never take them for granted and that’s what I want these guys to do, get the basics done properly, and if you do that we’ll do well and can build from there.”
Perelini, however, says he is hardly starting from scratch.
He has been hugely impressed by his early weeks as Shaheen coach and believes the future is bright, especially with the team now entered into genuine competition in the inaugural Community League.
“We’ve got some aggressive boys here who’ll hit through walls,” said the 46-year-old.
“It’s just teaching them how to play and giving them the right skill-sets to apply themselves with accuracy and confidence.
“Some guys have never played rugby before, so it’s a good platfrom to start. The key for me is stripping them down. Building and adding to what’s been taught to them. It’s adding to what they already know.”
