Abu Dhabi player-coach Ali Thompson is hoping ARFU West Asia Champion Club final heartache can help spur his side on to victory in the first All Star Challenge game against Dubai on Friday.
The crux of the squad Thompson has selected for the first of two Bill McLaren Foundation games come from the Abu Dhabi Harlequins, who were defeated 32-11 by Jebel Ali Dragons at Zayed Sports City last weekend.
In all, 11 of the 23-man squad representing the capital were involved as the Quins lost on home soil, but Thompson believes defeat could act as the perfect motivation as Abu Dhabi look to take a 1-0 lead in the two-game series.
“The West Asian final loss is still in the short-term memories of a number of the Abu Dhabi All Star squad that played or were spectators,” the player-coach said. “And there is a sense of unfinished business in that regard.”
Like legendary commentator McLaren, Thompson hails from Hawick in Scotland and missed out on having ‘The Voice of Rugby’ as his school coach by just a year.
The former UAE No8 coached the Bill McLaren Foundation side that beat the national team 50-10 one year ago, but believes this year’s format brings something different to the domestic game.
“The fixtures this year add a new dimension to UAE rugby and it is a pleasure to be involved once more. Being able to discount club rivalries in both cities and play as one has never been done before and should act to build strong bridges between clubs and players,” he said. “With the talent pool available to both coaches, and the Barbarian attitude being adopted by both teams, the two matches should yield many tries and will be a spectacle for all who come to watch.”
Meanwhile, Quins captain and back-row Billy Graham is relishing the opportunity to play against former Scotland international Jason White.
White retired from professional rugby nearly two years ago but is in the UAE with the foundation and has been convinced to dig out his boots again.
“I’m looking forward to it, it will be a really good afternoon and from a back-row perspective I’ll have to try my best to contain him,” Graham said. “But that will come from everybody so it’s going to be a great day and I’m really looking forward to it.”
