Dubai aim to even All Star series

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  • Fun and games: Abu Dhabi (l) will be looking to seal the series in Dubai this Friday.

    Abu Dhabi player-coach Jeremy Manning is looking forward to another gala day at the second leg of the Bill McLaren Foundation (BMF) All Stars Challenge in Dubai tomorrow (Friday).

    The event has pitted the finest players from the two cities against each other in the name of charity. Last week, Abu Dhabi secured a thrilling 40-24 triumph at Zayed Sports City in an exciting clash that featured 10 tries.

    Dubai now get the chance to claim a victory of their own on home soil, and try to secure the trophy on total points scored when the outfits meet at 18:00 in Dubai Sports City.

    BMF was set up in 2010 to promote the game and its values around the world following the death of McLaren, who was nicknamed the ‘Voice of Rugby’ during his illustrious commentary career.

    “It is all about fun and charity, everyone enjoyed it and now on to the next game,” Manning told Sport360°. “You look forward to games like this when they are for such a great charity, like the Bill McLaren Foundation.

    “It is good fun joining two teams with the Abu Dhabi Saracens and Abu Dhabi Harlequins. There is no pressure, you just get out there and play.

    “Our play in the backs was off the cuff – people were running all over the place.”

    A fortnight of fundraising events culminates with the second meeting between the specially-selected sides. The standing of the charity means former Scotland captain Jason White has travelled over to play in both matches for Dubai.

    Elsewhere, World-Cup winning former South Africa captain John Smit hosted a dinner in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and a lunch scheduled in Dubai today (Thursday).

    A BMF Golf Day was held yesterday at Emirates Golf Club. In regards to the deciding game, Dubai coach Apollo Perelini is confident his players are now aware of what is required to end the fundraising tour with a victory.

    “It was a great day of rugby which I thoroughly enjoyed,” the former dual-code Samoa international said. “It is all for the charity and the cause. We are up for it. The first game was a tester to see where we are at as a team, and to see what kind of opposition we have got.

    “They are pretty good opposition, so we have had a bit to work on. “Our cohesion was not quite there. We started well, but lost a bit of structure and shape.

    “When that happens, you start relying on the things you do not normally do and push things. “It was just the first game of two – it was a good hit out and the boys now know what to expect.”

    Entry is free for the fixture at Dubai Sports City. For more information about the BMF’s work and events in the UAE, contact [email protected]

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