Kotze leaves on a high as UAE power to 7th place in Colombo

Matt Jones - Editor 07:22 12/10/2015
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  • Beastly surge: UAE player Ryno Fourie in action against Japan.

    Roelof Kotze signed off after nearly two years as head of UAE rugby on a high note as his side claimed a top eight spot among Asia’s rugby sevens nations on Sunday.

    The UAE finished seventh overall after three legs of the 2015 Asia Rugby Sevens Series, an incredible effort which saw them move up five places after finishing dead last in 2014.

    Despite giving themselves a mountain to climb on day one of the Colombo 7’s with pool defeats to Japan and Chinese Taipei on Saturday, the UAE reached a summit previously unscaled by the nation as they beat the Philippines 19-12 before smashing Singapore 29-0 on Sunday’s action.

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    These two triumphs saw the UAE claim ninth overall in Colombo, which gave them seventh place overall for the series, which in turn grants them ‘core 8’ status for next year, meaning they qualify for every leg outright and will not have to rely on invites.

    For South African Kotze it was a fitting end to his tenure as the UAE’s performance manager, with the 45-year-old now heading back to his homeland and a position as the Pumas’ amateur rugby manager.

    “We had a slip-up on Saturday but the boys played very well yesterday,” said Kotze.

    “We played some very good sevens rugby and we did what we wanted to do. I’m very happy with theresult and that I’m leaving things in a good place.”

    Imad Reyal’s return to the UAE set-up has come at an opportune time. 

    After featuring on the scoresheet on the opening day in Sri Lanka, the Jebel Ali Dragons full-back scored 34 of the UAE’s 48 points on day two, crossing for three tries and adding a conversion, his Dragons’ club mate Ryno Fourie adding another.

    Unbelievably he repeated the feat as the UAE sauntered to victory against Singapore, crossing for another hat-trick while another fellow Dragon Ian Overton added a brace of tries. 

    “Seventh overall. It’s absolutely class and we’re all buzzing,” said a delighted Overton.

    It’s been quite a series for Abu Dhabi Harlequins winger Chris Marshall, who made his UAE debut at the first leg in Qingdao, China, in September having qualified just months previously after living in the Emirates for three years.

    Marshall scored six tries in three legs, two in both Qingdao and at the second leg in Thailand.

    “It’s a great finish to what’s been an awesome experience for all the boys,” said Marshall, who claimed the players were just a desperate as Kotze to end the series on a high. 

    “We really wanted that top eight finish and two wins on Roelof’s last day with us. We’ve done what we set out to do, we just did it the hard way. I feel very lucky to be part of this group.”

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