Roosters coach Robinson backs Dubai for rugby league expansion

Alam Khan - Reporter 10:03 05/03/2016
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  • Impressed: Trent Robinson.

    Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson believes Dubai would be a perfect place to host a World Cup 9s competition and help rugby league grow.

    The NRL outfit enjoyed a pre-season training camp in the UAE before their World Club Series win over English side St Helens.

    And Robinson and his players were impressed with the facilities at The Sevens and Dubai Sports City, as well as the ambition of the city to host sports teams and major events.

    While an expanded World Club Series, or the World Club Challenge showdown between the NRL and English Super League champions, has been mooted, Robinson says Dubai would benefit from a global 9s tournament.

    “There’s two things we have to think about when it comes to new areas hosting big tournaments like this,” he said. “We have to make sure our game is strong in the areas that it is in already, so we have to continue to develop that. But then we also have an obligation to expand our game into new areas.

    “And definitely the 9s concept is good for areas like Dubai to begin with. You want your best players to come and showcase rugby league.

    “For me, the 9s is our gateway into new areas, and it would be a bit like the Commonwealth Games, held every alternate couple of years. I think we should have a World Cup for the 9s and that’s definitely for new areas like Dubai.”

    Robinson, though, says the Roosters would look at Dubai again should the opportunity for a trip arise again.

    “We would definitely have a camp there again,” he added. “Great conditions, great facilities and it was a great stopover for us with the routes from Australia to England.

    “Out of the 42 people on our trip, only two had been to Dubai before. It was a huge change for a lot of us and we got to experience a different culture which was great.”

    Captain Jake Friend agreed, and added: “I’d never been, and everything was awesome. The Sevens facilities were great and the gym we trained at Sports City was one of the best I’ve seen.

    “I’d love to go back and would welcome it if there was a World Club Series there. If that was ever the case I’d be keen. It’s a sort of meet-in-the-middle place, Dubai, for the Aussies and the English, and a concept that could be tossed around. We had a great time there, got some hard work done, and got to see a fair bit of Dubai.

    “The more we can get rugby league out there, the better. With union and soccer being world games, it’s a challenge for us, and the more countries we can get rugby league in, the better. It would be great to have some sort of a series or competition in Dubai.”

    Having crushed St Helens 38-12, the 13-time Premiership-winning Roosters begin their NRL campaign tomorrow with a derby against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, who have Sam Burgess back after his spell in rugby union.

    “It’s a tough start, a tough competition and if you look at the teams and the player movements, like Sam coming back, then it’s probably more even than it’s ever been,” says Friend, whose side were Grand Final winners in 2013 and minor Premiers in 2014 and 2015.

    “It’s difficult to pick one team out, but we want to be up there challenging again. We are focused on winning every game.

    “Being champions, you just have to be consistent, work hard each week and have that bit of spark, you need star quality. Most of the top teams have it, one or two players you look to that can make a difference. I think we have that too.

    “This year I’m excited to see how Blake Ferguson goes at full-back. He’s been training awesome and with Anthony Minichiello retiring we are looking to Blake to step up. He’s loving the role and it’s a big year for him. We hope he can be the next superstar – even though he thinks he is already. He’s an important part of our team.”

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