It’s been an eventful year in regional rugby and Sport360‘s Matt Jones had plenty to ponder when putting together this 2017 review.
Cost-cutting and better competition has meant that Abu Dhabi Harlequins are facing a stiffer challenge for trophies while the UAE national team are seeing positive signs allowing for optimism under the guidance of Apollo Perelini.
Dubai Exiles ended an 11-year drought at the Dubai Rugby Sevens while Quins’ coach Mike McFarlane showed class in his side’s dominant 2016-2017 season.
Here are our picks for standout players, coach, achievement and game from a year gone by in regional rugby…
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Saki Nasau (Jebel Ali Dragons)
A truly special talent. Impressively understated last season after a summer switch from Al Ain Amblers, the athletic centre has scorched a trail in the early part of this season. Lightning pace, a muscular frame, he can beat you with searing pace or raw power. Impressed in defeat to Fiji ahead of the Sevens. He will lead Dragons’ charge.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Mike McFarlane (Abu Dhabi Quins)
After sweeping all trophies in 2016/17, who else was it going to be? Quins were utterly dominant last season, lifting the West Asia Premiership and West Asia Cup in the early part of 2017, while April’s UAE Premiership triumph over Dragons bookended a truly memorable campaign following Dubai Sevens and Asia Rugby Champions League success in 2016. Bravo Mr McFarlane. The gauntlet has been laid down.
ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR
Dubai Exiles win Dubai Sevens
All the talk heading into the Sevens centred on three-time defending champions Quins looking to make it four wins in a row, with last year’s finalists Dragons hoping to go one better. Exiles, who last won the Gulf Men’s League in 2006, snuck under the radar and then produced a monumental display to win a thriller in the final over Dragons, 19-12.
GAME OF THE YEAR
Dubai Exiles 18-22 Jebel Ali Dragons (October 13, 2017)
A see-saw encounter that really announced Dragons as a force to be reckoned with. There had been a lot of hype surrounding Henry Paul’s side since the summer but this was the game where they proved it is far from bluster. Carel Thomas’ brilliant sniping run looked to be the winning try at the death for Exiles, only for a contentious refereeing decision to rule it out for a knock-on. Ferociously entertaining.
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Replacements: Epeli Davetawalu (Dragons), Mark Burnell (Bahrain), Conor Coakley (Eagles); Stephen
Hamilton (Saracens), Andrew Semple (Quins), Durandt Gerber (Exiles), Iwan Phillips (Bahrain)
