Kristian Stinson is a busy man. Business owner, new father and now a lawyer in training, so something in life had to give.
After being part of a comeback season with Dubai Exiles in which they won a second double in three years, the Northern Irishman has therefore decided to bring the curtain down on his rugby career – but not before he has one final crack with the UAE.
Exiles prop Stinson is back in the UAE fold for a busy week of fixtures with visiting Gibraltar next week, which ends with a Test match against the tourists on Friday, April 27.
Stinson has lived in the Emirates for 12 years and made his debut for his adopted nation in 2012 in the Cup of Nations. He went on to win three more that year and in the 2013 Asian Five Nations – but this will be his first cap in five years, and potentially his last as he steps away from rugby.
Whether or not he takes a permanent break from the game remains to be seen. Stinson is now excited to be back involved after unfortunately missing out on the last three tours; Malaysia (2015 and 2017) and Uzbekistan in 2016.
Last year wife Emma was eight-and-a-half months pregnant with daughter Ayla, who arrived in June, so he couldn’t play. A year earlier, when the UAE won promotion back to Division I of the Asia Rugby Championship, Stinson was attending his sister’s wedding in Bali. And in 2015, he was injured.
Apollo Perelini oversees UAE training last year.
“I think I’ll be the longest-serving player in the squad,” said Stinson, who has represented the UAE against Hong Kong, Belgium, Zimbabwe and Cyprus.
“I’m really excited because I feel like I’ve had rotten luck the last few years or couldn’t commit to it, especially two years ago when they got promoted back to Division I in Uzbekistan. So I want to have one more crack at it.
“I first played in 2012 and then 2013 but last year Ayla was born. The year before it was my sister’s wedding in Bali the week of the tournament and in 2015 I was injured, I tore my MCL [medial collateral ligament in the knee]. I’m back for my swansong this year, so it would be a nice way to end it.”
Even though he’s had a taste, the 32-year-old feels like he didn’t make the most of it in his early days. He’s thrilled to now be part of a hugely talented squad – one that will have a heavy Exiles influence, with team-mates Durandt Gerber, Gio Fourie, Jaen Botes, Matt Mills, Thinus Steyn and Lukas Waddington all selected.
“I’m delighted to be involved as it’s most likely my last year and it’s such a strong squad,” he added.
“My previous involvement was with a much weaker squad and at the time I thought I’d be playing constantly over the next few years and get more caps. I don’t think I really enjoyed it or made the most of it, took it all in, so I’ll definitely be doing that now I’m back here.
“With five years between caps I could have played a lot of rugby and took it for granted.
“I had zero intention of playing this year but I got a phonecall and that was it. I think what changed my mind was the fact it might be the last time. After so long of not being able to play, it was nice to get the call.”
Stinson, a former Dubai Hurricanes player, says he’s not totally decided yet on whether his retirement will be permanent. But he’s decided to go out on top – having clinched the UAE Premiership title with Exiles last week when they beat fierce rivals Abu Dhabi Harlequins 38-12 at Dubai Sports City.
They added that to a first Dubai Sevens title in 11 years, won in December.
Exiles players celebrate their Dubai Sevens title in December.
“The future all depends on what’s going on with the UAE structure as we don’t really know what’s going on,” added Stinson.
“If I can go out representing the country it’s a good way to go. If I don’t come back and it is the end it’s a really good way to finish off. It’s nice to go out on top. It’d be the best way to end my career.
“It would have been shocking to do it last year (Exiles put up a poor defence of their 2015/16 UAE Premiership and West Asia Championship double).”
Stinson gave up on a law degree to move out to the UAE in 2006, where he has since set up an architecture and design company, Studio EM, with his significant other. But he recently decided to begin re-training. So life is fairly hectic, to put it mildly.
He added: “I feel like I’ve missed out a lot on my daughter this year with rugby and with running a company. I’m exhausted, playing rugby, being a husband and father and studying for a law degree.
“I’ve been doing it all this year and I’m broken. My body’s pretty beaten up.”
But he did add: “I might be dragged out at some point. I’ll take some time off and recharge and we’ll see what happens.”
UAE coach Apollo Perelini’s squad, with Exiles head coach Jacques Benade and Quins counterpart Mike McFarlane as assistants, will train on Saturday for the first time ahead of a run of four games against Gibraltar in five days.
The tourists face Exiles at The Sevens next Monday and Dubai Eagles at Dubai Sports City the following day. They play the UAE Barbarians on Thursday and then an official Test against the UAE on Friday, both games at DSC.
