Rugby is a team sport but early West Asia Championship pacesetters Doha showed in defeating Abu Dhabi Saracens on Friday night they possess several outstanding individual talents which make them serious contenders to win the inaugural competition.
Doha gained a small slice of revenge for their West Asia Cup heartbreak suffered at the hands of Sarries 10 months ago while possibly ending the UAE side’s bid to ret-ain their crown with a thrilling 31-22 win under the Al Ghazal lights.
Livewire full-back Aaron McLelland, fly-half Brook Tremayne and pack leader Caine Elisara are three such stars that could help erase the pain of that madcap March 20 day when Sarries became West Asia Cup champions with an enthralling 26-20 victory in Qatar.
Revenge was sweet for the visitors but tasted bitter for the hosts, with most of the damage done by the fleet-footed full-back who scored two tries.
McLelland served notice of his talent when he fielded a kick and ran it back 70 metres in the blink of an eye for the game’s opening try after just four minutes.
His second restored Doha’s lead and authority just as Sarries were beginning to stamp their mark on proceedings, and head coach Aaron Palmer is delighted to have him at his disposal.
“We know we have him out at the back and that’s how best we use him,” said the New Zealander, who admitted he has a few superstars on his hands. “The Gulf knows who he is now after last season and the space closes on him a bit earlier these days so we have to figure out a way to utilise his pace and skill.
“That’s using our forward pack to bring him in so it is a team game. When we get our team operating, to give those individuals a chance, then they can take them. That’s what we have to constantly do.”
Two more worth a mention are veteran No8 Elisara and string-puller Tremayne.
“I’ve known Caine a long time now, we played in Europe together and against each other,” said Palmer of a player who also acts as assistant and forwards coach.
“He was looking for somewhere to go (before the season) and we had an opportunity to bring some people over to Qatar and I got him in.
“He’s got miles on the clock, he knows the game. He’s out there and controls the pack. He coaches them during the week and having him on the park is a bonus.
“He has that aura to be able to lead and with Clarky (captain Jamie Clarke), they work in tandem to make sure we’re going in the right direction.
“At the same time he’s got the skill level, he’s got these big mits and usually just carries the ball one handed. He knows what to do.”
As for Tremayne, he went from looking ordinary against Sarries – missing two straightforward penalties to allow the hosts a way back into the contest – to the sublime, nervously sinking two late conversions from the touchline.
“I think it was in his head. He asked if we had another kicker and I said no, you’re the kicker. You can kick. He took it on board and thanked me after the game, and he nailed two from the line. I expect that from him,” said Palmer.
Of Doha’s 11 tries in a 67-33 vict-ory over Al Ain Amblers on the opening day, the imposing Elisara incredibly scored eight. He had to make do with one this week but in a closer contest, he admitted he was happier with the one against Sarries.
“That was a bit lucky to be honest,” the modest man mountain said of his feat the previous week.
“It was once in a lifetime and I don’t think I’ll do it again. This one was a lot more important. We’re two from two so it’s a good start.”
