Paul Hart hopes to add valuable experience to UAE

Matt Jones - Editor 12:00 17/05/2016
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  • Evergreen: Paul Hart continues to perform a key role for club and country despite his advancing years.

    At 38, Hart, along with 37-year-old Abu Dhabi Harlequins veteran Ed Lewsey, are the two elder statesmen of the 25-man touring party which jetted out to Uzbekistan on Sunday.

    However, the Jebel Ali Dragons forward is feeling fresh and fit as the UAE look to gain promotion to the ARC’s Division I, and has brushed off any suggestions this could be his swansong.

    “I want to play at as high a level as possible for as long as possible,” said Hart.

    “Lots of my peers and people younger than me hang up the boots and say ‘that’s enough’ and they’ve ended up coming out of retirement years later as they miss it.

    “I’m still really enjoying it, I’m still being selected for the UAE and Dragons, so there’s no reason to quit. Until someone younger and better comes along and knocks me off I’ll continue.”

    The fact that Hart is heading off on an international tour with his adopted nation is as much a feat of mental endurance as it is physical.

    As well as being a busy family man with two young sons and working in recruitment, Hart is also Dragons’ director of rugby.

    “I’ve got a very understanding wife, basically, as well as two gorgeous young boys, aged two and three,” said Hart, who briefly played professionally back home in the UK for Worcester Warriors as well as earning England Students caps in both rugby union and league.

    “I’m very busy but I’m a firm believer that you’re a long time retired in sport. Although I’m now in my 25th straight competitive rugby season, I’m not planning to go out on a high with this tour.

    “I’ll be playing again next year if my body allows me to.”

    Ahead of Wednesday’s Division II semi-final encounter with Uzbekistan, Hart feels former dual code international Perelini has selected a good balance of youth and experience.

    “Myself and Ed Lewsey are the two old boys. I think we’ve got to offer the younger lads,” added Hart.

    “But so have they. They’re fantastic players so there’s plenty we can learn as well. I think everyone’s learning a great deal off Apollo too.

    “The training has been the highest caliber of coaching I’ve experienced in a long time so it’s a pleasure to be involved, and you can certainly teach an old dog new tricks.”

    Hart was involved in last year’s ARC tour in Malaysia, where the UAE agonisingly missed out on promotion back to the second tier of Asian rugby.

    They beat Thailand convincingly, as well as Chinese Taipei, but lost by just a point to the hosts, whose 20-19 win saw them promoted to Division I.

    Hart insists nothing less than first place will do this time around.

    “Last year was a step towards a more professional UAE national team and this year I can see it’s a step up again,” said Hart.

    “The average has come down dramatically and the standard has increased dramatically.

    “Last year was the beginning of something quite special. We felt that and we were devastated to lose by a point to Malaysia, it was heartbreaking.

    “There’s very much a business-like feel to this tour. Everyone’s delighted to be selected, but we’ve all decided as a squad the hard work starts now and we’re committed to winning this division and being promoted.

    “Anything less will be a failure in the players’ eyes.”

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