Hard work has only just begun for Abu Dhabi Harlequins, warns Mike McFarlane

Matt Jones - Editor 20:12 27/10/2018
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  • Brian Geraghty is back for a second stint at Abu Dhabi Harlequins.

    They sit atop the early West Asia Premiership table, perhaps surprisingly so after an arduous off-season, but Mike McFarlane has warned Abu Dhabi Harlequins that the hard work has only just begun.

    Quins were predicted to struggle this season after another tumultuous summer involving player departures and fears over finances, not to mention their return of just two minor trophies from the 2017/18 campaign.

    The major honours – West Asia and UAE Premiership, Dubai Sevens and West Asia Cup – were claimed by their three main rivals Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Exiles and Bahrain, prompting suggestions that trio’s rise would contribute to Quins continuing to struggle.

    Yet it is Quins that lead the way after five games – McFarlane’s men posting four wins from five and leading the table by a point from equally impressive Bahrain.

    But the Englishman is not getting too carried away, despite seeing the returning Brian Geraghty cross for two tries as Exiles were swept aside 44-20 at The Sevens on Friday night.

    “We are chuffed to be where we are but it’s a long season and we know the hard work has just begun,” said McFarlane.

    Quins coach Mike McFarlane has warned his side of getting complacent.

    Quins coach Mike McFarlane has warned his side of getting complacent.

    “It’s been a tough start to the season with multiple injuries and unavailability every week but the players are training hard in all teams and players stepping up have jumped in seamlessly and the boys have got results.

    “We are developing a much improved understanding of why we are trying to do certain things which is reflecting in the players and teams’ performance.”

    The return of Irish centre Geraghty is a huge fillip for Quins. It was his departure last summer – along with Willie Umu and Patrick Jenkinson – which started the slide as Quins relinquished their grip on four of the five trophies they had amassed during 2016/17’s quintuple.

    Defeat brought to an end a three-game winning sequence for Jacques Benade’s Exiles – who are third in the table, five points adrift of Quins.

    “I’m really impressed and proud with the commitment of all the players throughout the teams as we put three men’s teams out again at the weekend when times are really tough with numbers,” added McFarlane.

    “To come away with two comprehensive victories against a table-topping rival is outstanding.

    “However we are into a new week. We will go over the analysis and feedback as individuals and a team and prepare to face Bahrain away which we know is always the toughest game of the season.”

    Elsewhere, Premiership champions Dragons got back to winning ways with a morale-boosting 31-14 win at Dubai Eagles.

    In a mirror image of Exiles’ start to the season, Dragons had lost three on the bounce since an opening day victory.

    That maiden win came against Exiles, who are Dragons’ opponents next weekend in Jebel Ali. The champions are 10 points off the pace being set by Quins and skipper Ross Samson knows a double must be done over Exiles, otherwise their chances of repeating last season’s heroics will be finished.

    “Exiles is a must win or our season is over,” the Scotsman said bluntly.

    “We got back to winning ways against Eagles but we dropped a few over the line and our discipline so far has been poor. We’ve had a yellow or a red card in every game – three against Bahrain and we only just lost.

    “We were terrible against Canes (Dubai Hurricanes, lost 27-11) but we will be sweet. I’m pretty positive about our squad this year.”

    Eagles have played well in five defeats this term, yet prop up the table with only one bonus point to show from five encounters.

    “It was a tough day at the office again,” said Eagles fly-half Sean Carey, who missed the game along with several other key men.

    “It was always going to be tough against Dragons. The season is tough this year with so many games.”

    The biggest margin of victory on Friday came in the west of the region as Bahrain trounced visitors Canes 45-15. With the season a third of the way through, their clash with Quins in Saar next weekend already feels seismic.

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