Jebel Ali Dragons' Niall Statham calls time on international career

Matt Jones - Editor 21:40 04/06/2017
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  • Niall Statham has called time on his UAE career

    When the UAE took to the field to take on the might of Asia last month looking for a second-successive promotion, keen observers might have noticed that a very distinctive blue scrum cap was missing.

    Said cap, belonging to former captain Niall Statham, was missing due to the fearless flanker actually deciding to call time on his international career before a ball was even kicked in Malaysia.

    Being part of a UAE team looking to go for successive promotions following their lifting of the Asia Rugby Championship Division II title in May 2016 was something that had been driving Statham more than most.

    Not only had the 31-year-old previously wrestled with the thought of retirement due to rugby’s increasing toll on the body as well as a young family to keep him busy – but the Scotsman missed virtually the entire 2016/17 season with injury, having torn ankle ligaments in the UAE’s successful ARC campaign in Uzbekistan.

    It left the Jebel Ali Dragons flanker cursing the fact he was unable to play a significant part in early Henry Paul era after the former dual code star took the reins as Dragons head coach last summer.

    It also left him with a sense of unfinished business at international level. Yet he began to realise over the course of the season, with the increasing depth of talent in the UAE ranks and rise of professionalism, that the time was perhaps right to put the eye-catching scrum cap in storage.

    “It was a really difficult call but it was the best decision for me, my family and the team,” revealed Statham.

    “The standard of playing and training is so high now you have to be fully committed to it. I didn’t feel I could give the team and coaches that whilst being there for my family.

    “There were some more things I would have liked to achieve but I’m really thankful to Apollo (Perelini, UAE rugby performance manager) and the UAE Rugby Federation for all the experiences.

    “The team is in fantastic shape and is full of talented players now who are younger, full of hunger and can launch it to the next level.”

    Statham made his first appearance of the season for Dragons in February’s 25-22 West Asia Premiership defeat against Doha. He certainly didn’t look like a player who’d been absent for over half a season

    Even though he is sad to have made the call to bring the curtain down on his career, Statham can be pleased with his contribution to the UAE – for whom he has earned 35 sevens caps and four for the senior 15 side.

    “When I started the UAE had gone years without a Test win and were winless on the Asian 7s series; since then we scored a top eight finish in Asia, getting the respect of teams like Japan and Hong Kong,” added Statham.

    “The 15s team were on a four-Test winning run and have been the highest climber in World Rugby. I’m really proud of where I’m leaving the system.

    “Having played every game of sevens and 15s possible for UAE in the last three seasons it’s a good time to pass the torch. I discussed it a lot with Apollo and Mohammed Shaker (UAE team manager) and they’ve been really supportive.

    “I’m also chatting to Henry about my role in Dragons next year whether it’s playing or coaching.”

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