Canes vs Exiles: All to play for in Dubai derby

Matt Jones - Editor 16:02 23/10/2014
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  • Final hurdle: Dubai Hurricanes (yellow) are hoping to book themselves a spot in the final with a win this weekend.

    Coach Ross Mills has readied Dubai Hurricanes for one last push ahead of this weekend’s final round of Sport360° UAE Premiership league games.

    Beat city rivals Dubai Exiles on Friday night at 7he Sevens Stadium and Canes will be in the Premiership final.

    Canes enjoyed a whirlwind start to the campaign, beating Abu Dhabi Harlequins 16-15 on a thrilling opening night. They came unstuck against Abu Dhabi Saracens in their next game, but bounced back to beat Xodus Wasps and then inflicted a first defeat on Jebel Ali Dragons last week.

    Mills is warning his players against complacency though, ahead of Friday night’s Dubai derby.

    He said: “It’s in our own hands and we know if we win on Friday we’ll be in the final, but we can’t go into the game thinking that against Exiles.

    “They started very well but have had two bad results, so who better to come back against than Canes, their closest and fiercest rivals – we won’t be taking them for granted.”

    After returning to haunt his old club Dragons last week, Mills admits it’s been an enjoyable few days.

    Alan Short is still missing for Canes with a wrist injury, while Chris Smith (broken fingers) is also out for a period of time. Full-back Ricky Thomas injured a knee in training prior to the Dragons game, having only just returned from 18 months out, but will play some part.

    Open-side flanker Dave Knight, himself only just back from a serious ankle ligament injury, will start.

    As for Exiles, they have everything to play for.

    Depending on other results, a win would almost certainly see them qualify for the elite Gulf Top Six competition.

    South African head coach Jan Venter hopes he will have his “happy face” on after the final whistle.

    “The team is extremely positive,” he said.

    That is despite a demoralising 32-8 defeat to Abu Dhabi Harlequins last week, which Venter admitted could easily have been worse.

    “We had a great training session on Monday night and we’re fortunate to have picked up no injuries. There will be a couple of positional changes but they will be a surprise,” he added.

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