UAE trials reveal Touch Rugby talent

Martyn Thomas 14:33 07/06/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • The Touch World Cup may not start for another 10-and-a-half months, but the UAE’s preparations for their debut appearance are already well under way.

    GEMS Wellington International School in Dubai played host yesterday to the second of three trials for national team selection, with 50 hopefuls turning out.

    The UAE intend to take five teams to Australia for next year’s World Cup, which kicks off at the end of April, with Men’s and Mixed Open and Over-30s sides joined by one in the Men’s Over-40s category.

    President of UAE Touch, John Larkins, has been impressed with the standard on display so far in Dubai and Al Ain but is hopeful of discovering more talent at the final trial next Saturday in Ghantoot.

    “The game of touch at the top level is about pace and agility and a bit of vision,” he said. “Some of the guys here, some of the athletes here, who don’t necessarily play rugby would be a great fit. 

    “So the trials are probably more structured around skill sets and the selection is more structured around skill sets than specific touch or specific rugby players.”

    With games lasting 20 minutes each way and contested between two sides of six players, on a pitch 80 metres long and 50 metres wide, to take part you clearly need to be fit.

    Larkins though, believes the UAE will have the right balance between stamina and skill with three tri-athletes in the running to take part in Australia.

    The New Zealander is particularly bullish about the hopes of the Over-40s side, who he describes as “ultra, ultra competitive”.

    “They will go away to the World Cup and they will be ultra, ultra competitive, we have some very good over-40s masters players here in the UAE.”

    Larkins also received some good news from the Federation of International Touch last Wednesday, as they confirmed they would provide administrative support and referees for a Middle East club championship to be held in the UAE in mid-November.

    “I’m quite excited about it,” he said. “We’ve had confirmation that Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will send sides. 

    “It’s going to be a Middle East club champs. It’s going to be in mid-November but it will be on a weekend when there are no sevens or 10s tournaments and the rugby clubs themselves can enter teams, anyone can enter a side.”

    Recommended