Al Ain Amblers head coach Andrew Rouvi has described their encounter with Abu Dhabi Harlequins as a “David versus Goliath” clash, but insists his team can shock the reigning UAE Premiership champions on Friday night.
To compound the fact that Amblers have shipped 63 points in their first two games back in the UAE top flight, they will also be without several key players as they head into the lion’s den at Zayed Sport City.
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Their Kiwi coach is also away in the UK, watching the All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup, but he feels Amblers are capable of a shock.
“We have a few players unavailable, a total of five who are all key members of this squad,” said Rouvi. Absentees include Esekaia Dranibota, Tito Asafo (injured), Devante Steele (in Sri Lanka with the UAE), Khalid Aljunaibi (Shaheen duty) and Sakiusa Naisau (suspended).
“At the same time, it gives us an opportunity to bring through some second team players. The club is
focusing on developing our players so any opportunity to blood new players will always be important to our cause,” he added.
Andrew McKinney and Semi Asafo, both players from last season’s UAE Conference-winning squad, come in, while fresh faces Mahmoud Sharkawi and Robert Dorward – both fairly new to the game but have shown a lot of promise – could feature.
More of a concern to Rouvi, however is discipline after a host of cards in their opening games.
“The challenge for us will be to keep our discipline, especially around the breakdown,” he said.
“If we can do this and provide good ball for our backs anything can happen. It’s definitely a David versus Goliath situation but, like I said, anything can happen.”
Quins will be without several players who shone in last week’s 35-7 thumping of Jebel Ali Dragons, so head coach Mike McFarlane is looking for his second string players to steal the limelight.
Centre Brian Geraghty and full-back Alastair Johnson are out, while winger Chris Marshall is on UAE duty in Sri Lanka.
“Big games keep coming with a physical and attacking side in Al Ain,” said McFarlane.
“Both teams are certainly preparing for a battle. We are missing multiple players to injury and absence, with several injuries coming from the last game against Dragons.
“This is where the depth in quality at the club pays dividend and we are more than confident with the players coming in. The boys are loving their rugby at the moment and the atmosphere is contagious among the teams.”
Iziq Foa’i, who announced his return to Zayed Sports City last week, remains sidelined, while prop Chris Jones-Griffiths and James Macauley are also out.
Saracens vs Exiles
Exiles coach Jacques Benade has thrown his weight behind the UAE national teams – even though it means he will be without several of his stars for Friday’s trip to Abu Dhabi Saracens.
Full-back Charlie Sargent is away with the UAE sevens team for the third leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Colombo at the weekend, while Justin Walsh is unavailable after sustaining an injury on international duty at the second leg in Bangkok last month. However, with the UAE on the cusp of capturing a top eight berth in the Asia rankings, Benade is not complaining.
“Due to the UAE sevens we are without Charlie Sargent, who played really well last Friday, and Justin Walsh who got injured in the last tournament,” said the South African. “But for us as a club it is very important that we support the UAE and the players that play for their country even with a big game against Saracens this weekend.
“It will be good for UAE rugby if all the clubs support the UAE sevens team.”
After beginning the season with two home wins, Exiles now face five straight away games, starting with a trip to fortress Al Ghazal, where Sarries have an impressive record.
“It is a very competitive league and I’m sure this will be very physical as Saracens will be very strong up front and very difficult to beat at home,” said Benade.
“Discipline will be key and we need to take every opportunity because I don’t think there will be too many if we want to compete against Saracans.”
Sarries’ joint head coach Stephen Hamilton is expecting a stern test from the new-look Exiles.
“It’s a big week for the club, Exiles seem to have recruited well and have been showing good form in the first few games,” he said.
“We have picked up a few injuries but still have expectations. We haven’t been beaten at Al Ghazal for over a season and we intend to keep that record going this year. It’s a big clash and a real test for both clubs this week.”
Hurricanes vs Dragons
Paul Hart believes Jebel Ali Dragons are close to a first win after opening up the new Premiership campaign with two straight defeats.
The fallen giants of UAE rugby will, however, again be without a host of players selected for the national team’s trip to the third and final leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Sri Lanka this weekend.
They travel to Dubai Hurricanes on Thursday, and Hart said: “Dragons hope to keep improving and we feel we are close to putting 80 minutes together. When that happens we will start to win games.”
Niall Statham, Ryno Fourie, Ian Overton and Mounier Kenny travel with the UAE to Colombo on Thursday, while Andrew Carphin and Imad Reyal have also been called into the squad. Canes will be looking to bounce back after an opening day defeat of Al Ain Amblers was followed by defeat in a Dubai derby against Exiles last week.
Fly-half Andrew Powell will be out for at least a few weeks, but Andrew O’Driscoll should return for James Ham’s side.
