It might not be at the heady heights of professionalism like its illustrious rival, football, but the UAE national rugby team is certainly in better health on the field than those playing with the ball at their feet instead of their hands.
The UAE has been on a steady ascent over the last few years, since their nadir was reached with a 30-13 loss in a play-off to Singapore in April 2014. It was a result that sent them spiralling down into Asia Rugby’s third tier – the UAE suffering the ignominy of relegation on their home patch of The Sevens.
Performance manager Roelof Koetze had been making steady progress but left in October 2015 for a job with the Pumas in his native South Africa. He handed the reins over to former dual code international star Apollo Perelini and the nation has been on an upward trajectory ever since.
While the low point was reached on that dark April 23 day, the zenith came this past May when Perelini and an ever-strengthening side fought alongside Sri Lanka, Malaysia and the Philippines for the Asia Rugby Championship Division I title and a chance to join the big guns of Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea. There was even a remote possibility of a chance to feature at the Rugby World Cup in two years’ time in Japan.
Okay, so hopes of making it to the game’s greatest showpiece in the Land of the Rising Sun were quickly dashed as Perelini’s side flopped to three chastening defeats in Malaysia – yet the seed has been sewn. UAE rugby is on the rise.
It’s a far cry from 2014 when representing the UAE was seen as a chore, rather than an honour. The players that featured in Malaysia received a great education in what to expect at the next level – their opponents were fitter, faster and better conditioned. But it gave the squad – the best UAE one assembled in years, possibly ever – a platform from which to build.
Let’s hear from some of the All #Emirati #AlMaha team as they share their Favourite Rugby Moment#UAERugby #MyRugbyMoment #RunWild #Sevens Thanks @emirates for helping to create these special moments! pic.twitter.com/oGp7vU1C21
— UAE Rugby Federation (@uaerugby) December 2, 2017
Thankfully, Asia Rugby decided against relegating the UAE from Division I so they will feature again next May and they will now know what is required to succeed.
Add in the fact their ranks are set to be bolstered by another wave of newly-qualified players – chief among the candidates likely to pique Perelini’s interest being Jebel Ali Dragons’ Fijian centre Saki Nasau – and progress is possible.
At youth level, the future also looks extremely bright. Perelini took a UAE Under-18 girls’ team to the Paris World Games in July, and they have progressed rapidly since becoming the first all-Emirati female team to represent the UAE in rugby at the 2016 Dubai Sevens.
So proud of my @uaerugby U19’s for winning the Div 1 Championship against Korea 19-12. These boys played with great passion for their adopted home of UAE and dug deep to hold on for the win. pic.twitter.com/lMq9pd4tTA
— Apollo Perelini (@Apollo11Rugby) December 16, 2017
The UAE U19 men’s side have just returned home following a victorious showing at the Asia Rugby U19 Division 1 Championship in Manila, Perelini leading his talented young side to a 19-12 victory in the final over South Korea that sees them promoted to next year’s top tier U19 Asia Rugby Championship.
