Barry hopes powerhouse names can lead Pirates to Sevens title

Matt Jones - Editor 22:39 28/11/2017
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  • The SBA Pirates squad are aiming for the trophy.

    Powerhouse names like CNCF Legends, J9 Legends and Xodus Steelers have applied a stranglehold on the International Vets section at the Dubai Sevens over the last decade, but the SBA Pirates are hoping to commandeer the trophy this year.

    In a bid to level the playing field, Emmanuel Barry has called on the help of a few powerhouse names from the rugby world – including 72-times capped France legend Serge Betsen.

    The Pirates – named after the Serge Betsen Academy – will hope to make more of an impression after exiting at the Plate semi-final stage on debut last year.

    But with Les Bleus legend Betsen and several other former internationals on board – including fly-half Yann Delaigue (20 caps) and Number 8 Francis Ntamack (younger brother of 46-times capped Emile) – Barry and the Pirates are hoping to hit the high seas of success this weekend.

    “This is rugby. The aim is always to win,” said Barry, 42, a former Abu Dhabi Harlequins player who also spent time in the Middle East with Doha and Bahrain.

    “This is the second year we have registered this team. Many of us played at the Sevens before but we used to play for other teams. Last year we finished second in our group and ended up losing in the semi-final of the Plate.”

    Despite his optimism, Barry is aware of just how difficult the treasure of a trophy will be to get their hands on.

    In the previous decade, CNCF Legends have won five of the last nine Trophy finals, including four in a row from 2008-11. Xodus Steelers won the next two before CNCF won again in 2014, with legendary South Africa scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen’s J9 Legends winning back to back crowns the last two years.

    “It will be very tough. I suppose there will be the usual suspects to watch out for such as J9 Legends, 100 World Legends Project, Joining Jack Vets, Bali Legends and of course the CNCF Legends,” said Barry.

    “But we have seen a lot of high quality teams last year such as the Mo Bro Vets, Stefan’s BHF, Gulf Legends or Crusaders who could surprise everyone, and of course there are teams that we know nothing about.”

    Betsen set up the Serge Betsen Academy in 2004. The charity aims to help underprivileged children in his native Cameroon.

    After he was unable to play last year, Barry joked Betsenwas adamant he was playing last year so that the Pirates lived up to the swashbuckling style he adopted during his playing days.

    “We registered the team last year and straight away asked Serge for the authorisation to link up with the Serge Betsen Academy,” added prop Barry.

    “He said yes straight away but unfortunately could not be with us last year. He watched us from a distance, probably didn’t like much the fact that we lost two games, so ended up coming this year.

    “The others didn’t come to play with Serge but because they fancied a run and seeing what the Dubai Sevens is all about. Serge being able to play with us has been the cherry on the pie.”

    Barry and the bulk of the team play together at a vets rugby club from the small French town of Pontarlier, near the border with Switzerland.

    The Pirates are fresh from their local season, which only ended two weeks ago. Although Barry admits coming from the snow to the sun will be a bit of a shock to the system.

    “We have had to stop training due to the amount of snow on the frozen pitches, so the weather of Dubai is something we all look forward to,” he added.

    “We will also come in fancy dress. I can’t reveal what we will be dressed as but can give you a clue, it’s in the name of our team.”

    With the academy set up to help children in Cameroon, Barry revealed donations will be made to the SBA.

    “Having played the other teams we realised that, through sponsorship, it would be a great way to raise money for a charity that was close to our hearts,” he said.

    “There are so many to be honest, we know that many of the other teams play for great causes too and we really admire them for it.

    “The SBA is unique in the sense that it is bringing education, healthcare and generally speaking a future to children in need, and all that through the powerful vector of teaching them the values of rugby.”

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