Abu Dhabi Harlequins and Dubai Exiles set for pressure clash in West Asia Premiership

Matt Jones - Editor 22:18 21/02/2018
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  • Abu Dhabi Harlequins and Dubai Exiles are set for another huge clash.

    Abu Dhabi Harlequins and Dubai Exiles are set to meet in yet another mouthwatering top-of-the-table clash in the West Asia Premiership – although the protagonists know the door is rapidly closing on anyone who makes a mistake from here on in.

    Quins travel to The Sevens for Friday’s game to take on Jacques Benade’s revitalised Exiles – they were defeated in Bahrain last week to end a four-game winning streak.

    It should be an intense encounter, with Quins winning 29-25 in the reverse fixture before Christmas at a time when Exiles were not in good form.

    And Quins fly-half Luke Stevenson put it simply when he said: “It’s a massive week, which does seem to be the case every week.

    “It’s always a tough one against Exiles and they’ve been on a good run of form. The lads are pumped for it and I think we want to go out and show that we deserve to be where we are in the league.”

    Exiles counterpart Durandt Gerber is aware another slip this week could spell the end of their title chances.

    “The league is tight at the moment and any slip-ups could be costly at this stage,” said the South African.

    “We did not do ourselves any favours last weekend in Bahrain with the loss but that’s rugby. I’m looking forward to a good game of rugby. It’s always intense playing Quins and a good game to be part of.”

    Durandt Gerber knows Exiles can't afford anything but a win against Quins.

    Durandt Gerber knows Exiles can’t afford anything but a win against Quins.

    After a run of three defeats earlier in the season against Quins, Jebel Ali Dragons and Bahrain that saw them slip off the pace of the top three, four wins in a row to start 2018 – including a superb 35-15 victory in the reverse fixture at Dragons – has seen Exiles crash the title party and make it a four-way battle for silverware.

    Realistically though, a Quins win on Friday would end the recent high drama between the top four. Win, and win with a bonus point in Dubai, and Quins will maintain their status on top of the standings – with two very winnable home games to finish the season at home to Abu Dhabi Saracens and away at Dubai Eagles.

    And coach Mike McFarlane reiterated that this is a “massive week”.

    “In such a competitive league the games come thick and fast and this weekend will be no different,” said the Englishman.

    “They have an excellent squad and the arrival of Denis Hurley (former Munster player who has become Exiles’ backs coach) has clearly had a huge impact.

    “They’ve got a strong set-piece and a good pack which I’m sure they’ll look to use frequently, so it will be a great forward battle. The boys have prepped really well this week and there’s a real focus within the squad, knowing their individual jobs for the team.”

    Exiles will especially be keen to bounce back with a win as they have played a game more than the rest of their title rivals and have just one game remaining after Friday.

    “There’s a lot at stake,” said Northern Irish forward Stephen Ferguson.

    “We’re playing for a home semi (in the West Asia Cup) and bragging rights. The top four is sorted, it’s just about sorting out placings.

    Quins coach Mike McFarlane knows a win will see his side take a huge step towards the title.

    Quins coach Mike McFarlane knows a win will see his side take a huge step towards the title.

    “And we know Quins and Dragons have a game in hand so we will want to take maximum points in our last two games, starting with Quins. Quins are a quality side and have awesome finishers from the bench too. So it’ll be an 80 minute affair.”

    Elsewhere, Bahrain host Dubai Hurricanes, although you can forgive home coach Louie Tonkin for having one eye on events in Dubai.

    And he put it bluntly too, when he said: “If Quins win they are home and dry, if Exiles win we all have a chance.”

    The Welshman is wary of a wounded Canes outfit who mathematically made it impossible for themselves to challenge for the West Asia Cup at the end of the season as defeat to Quins left them marooned in fourth place.

    “We know Hurricanes can’t qualify for the top four but that makes them a dangerous side, they come with nothing to lose and we’re not taking them lightly,” said Tonkin.

    “I’ve said Canes are going to turn someone over this season and we need to make sure it’s not us. We need to get a bonus point win, we need to keep pressure on the teams above us.”

    Canes front rower Joe Corcoran stated the whole club is hurting after last week’s disappointing 55-15 defeat to Quins, which also saw Quins advance to the final of the UAE Premiership Cup, where they’ll face Exiles.

    “It’s certainly tough to re-group and prepare for the trip to Bahrain given the really disappointing loss to Quins,” he said.

    “That said, multiple guys have been given the opportunity to play this weekend so despite the challenge of playing Bahrain away there is a good energy in the group and a strong urge to perform.”

    In Friday’s other game, Jebel Ali Dragons will be seeking a bonus-point win at home to struggling Abu Dhabi Saracens.

    They are in second place in the table, a point behind Quins, and a maximum win against the side second-bottom is a must if they are to keep the pressure on the title favourites.

    But even though they should win comfortably, assistant coach Jonny MacDonald is concentrating on firstly just securing victory.

    Dragons will be chasing a bonus point win against Sarries.

    Dragons will be chasing a bonus point win against Sarries.

    “It’s pretty clear to us what we have to do for the rest of the season and that’s picking up wins in all of our remaining games and then bonus points as well where we can,” said MacDonald, the former Arabian Gulf international taking joint charge of Dragons with Andy Buist while Henry Paul is helping coach Canada in the Americas Rugby Championship.

    “It’s important we focus on getting the win first and then we can worry about the bonus point. We’ve had a good build-up to the game and we are looking forward to it with the boys feeling good and hopefully we can play some good rugby.

    “We were disappointed with elements of our game last week against Eagles (Dragons won 57-7), we felt we didn’t control the game for the full 80 so that’s an area we will look to improve on this week against Sarries.”

    Sarries will just be happy to get to the end of the campaign intact after a season of strife, but skipper Jonny Taylor is looking forward to getting back to action after a two-week break.

    “I think everyone is really eager to get back on the pitch,” said the South African flanker.

    “We have a quite a few new players running out as well, which is always good to see. It’s another weekend to go out and build the squad and club.”

    Friday’s games (17:00 KO)

    Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

    Bahrain v Dubai Hurricanes

    Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Saracens

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