It might seem a little premature to utter words like destiny, but there’s no getting away from the fact that the mammoth Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons clash on Friday is a seminal point in the West Asia Premiership season.
The two behemoths collide at Zayed Sports City with clear daylight at the top of the table reward for the victor, as well as the likely title of outright favourites for the 2017/18 cross border trophy.
The campaign is only at the halfway point, but there could be seismic consequences for those teams hoping to challenge should the next few weeks go awry.
Bahrain slipped three points behind Quins and Dragons after a narrow 26-23 defeat in Jebel Ali last week, with Louie Tonkin’s men on a bye week.
A clearer picture of the destination of this season’s WAP title will become clearer next week after Bahrain visit Quins to complete a mouthwatering beginning to 2018.
For now, Dragons’ UAE international winger Ian Overton is looking forward to a possible victory and the chance to celebrate skipper Ross Samson’s 30th birthday in style.
“It’s a massive game. The winner dictates their own destiny, loser has to pray other teams slip up,” said the Welshman, excitedly.
Overton scored the winning try against Quins in the semi-finals of the Gulf Men’s League at December’s Dubai Sevens, and he admitted the club are still upset they then fell at the final hurdle, beaten 19-12 by Dubai Exiles in the final.
“The lads are looking sharp. The boys are fuming about the Sevens. We threw it away.
“Man for man I think we’re the most talented team in the league. Saki (Naisau) is on fire. It’s just about structure and execution. If the boys get that right on the day, they can beat anyone.”
As Dragons plan to present Samson with a birthday treat, Overton revealed he was sad not to be facing another one of his great friends, Ben Bolger, the former Quins captain who retired due to numerous concussions at the start of the campaign.
“I’m hoping they will let this old dog come off the bench and have a trot too,” added Overton.
“Either way they’ve got quality to burn. It’s one of my best buds and skipper Rosco’s 30th so the boys will want to give him something to celebrate.
“If I do play it will be a shame not playing against the worst rig in rugby, Benny Bolger. That’s a massive loss for them. He’s got the worst chat on the planet but he can inspire like no other on the pitch. It’s two great clubs so it will be a cracker.”
Quins are slightly depleted, especially in the front row where coach Mike McFarlane has had to sacrifice a second team fixture.
Nevertheless he knows this is the type of occasion his squad will rise to.
“It’s a tough weekend against a quality side. It will be a challenge,” said the Englishman.
“It will certainly challenge the quality in depth of the club with so many injuries. The players have been training hard this week and there is a good buzz around the squad as normal, these are the games we play rugby for.
“It’s time for players to step up and put in performances whether they are senior first team players or second team players coming in.
“The extent of the injuries means we aren’t able to field a front row for the second team – never has that happened under my tenure and it is something I am gutted about.
“However, fulfilling a first team fixture comes first and the safety of players is paramount. Of course we want to play, being top of the league, and we offered Dubai Exiles an alternative date as the second team only play alternative weeks, however I don’t think it’s been accepted.”
Injuries or not, Dragons coach Henry Paul knows his side must beat Quins if they are serious about earning success this term.
“We’re largely injury free, just a bit bruised from the Bahrain win, and we expect our hardest match in years, especially after our epic Sevens win against Quins in December,” said the New Zealander, who will stick with near enough the same side that beat Bahrain last week.
“We’re under no illusion of the task in front of us from a well drilled champion side, if we want to win trophies this season here is the test.”
