UAE national rugby coach Roelof Kotze says he has picked his strongest possible squad for the Al Ain 7s this coming weekend as he bids to win the competition.
The UAE are preparing for the heat of battle in the desert tomorrow (Friday) and on Saturday against Jordan, Lebanon, Iran and Afghanistan, while Saudi Arabia are yet unconfirmed.
The two-day event will act as a feeder tournament for next month’s India 7s, which will be an Olympic qualifier.
At stake is the possibility of joining the top-ranked Asian RFU sides and ultimately a chance to move closer to competing in the company of the world’s elite sevens nations.
Kotze has named 10 of his 15-man squad, with injured duo Waled Salem and Yousif Lashkari expected to be penned in before the weekend.
Following a disappointing showing at the China 7s earlier this month, Kotze says his team needs to perform this weekend.
“We have to do well this weekend and we’re setting out to win,” said Kotze.
“We should be the most experienced team there, with other teams not playing as regularly as us.”
“We need to show we are worthy of being part of the ARFU because in China we were disappointing.”
Off-field developments hindered the UAE’s preparations for China, including one player being called up for military service and another being refused entry into China.
“Senior player Mohanned Shaker was told on Wednesday night, before we were due to depart on Thursday, that his unit had been called up.” He added: “Youngster Saeed Al Kateeri was turned away at the airport. It would have been his first taste of international rugby so it was very unfortunate.”
Al Kateeri has not been called up this time as Kotze takes his “best team possible” to Al Ain.
“Saeed is 19 and will get his chance in the future, but there will be no exposing players at this tournament. We wanted to take our best possible team.”
UAE Squad: Mohanned Shaker, Mohammed Hassan, Mohammed Suliman, Thani Ahmed, Adel Al Hendi, Majid Al balooshi, Abdullah Alhajeri, Cyrus Homayoun, Harab Alazry, Ibrahim Doraee, Waled Salem, Yousif Lashkari
