Dubai rivals aiming to head into mid-season break on the back of a win

Matt Jones - Editor 23:24 04/11/2015
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  • Dubai Exiles will be looking for a sixth Premiership win in seven games.

    There will be plenty up for grabs in Friday’s Dubai derby between Exiles and Hurricanes as both teams look to sign off for the UAE Premiership’s mid-season break by claiming the second city bragging rights.

    Jacques Benade’s Exiles will be looking to keep their momentum going, as well as maintaining the pressure on leaders Abu Dhabi Harlequins, who tasted defeat for the first time last week against city rivals Saracens.

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    Resurgent Exiles are just a point behind Quins and will be looking to sustain the highs achieved in the first half of the season, in which they have won five of six games.

    “It is a very big game on Friday in a great, competitive league this year,” said Benade. “The top three teams can’t afford to lose as it will make it very hard to go in to the last three games pushing for silverware.

    “Hurricanes showed against Harlequins they are a great team who can beat anyone. It’s a big derby and both teams are looking for a win.”

    Exiles have looked unrecognisable from the team that have endured several poor seasons, with the South African director of rugby introducing a slew of new players and implementing an exciting brand of rugby at 7he Sevens.

    Exiles’ only loss came against Quins a few weeks ago, though they should have won, and Benade is looking forward to an open and exciting game.

    “I’m looking forward to an exciting game and if you look at the last two results from the two teams I think it will be a very open game to watch,” he said.

    “I think discipline and opportunities taken will be the difference on Friday.”

    For Canes coach James Ham, whose side have three wins and three defeats from their six matc-hes, he expects his men to the rise to the occasion.

    “Friday is a big challenge with Exiles as favourites,” he said.

    “They have proved they can play with control and a cutting edge over the last few weeks, but I have no doubt we are putting out a Hurricanes team with a knowledge of how we can execute our own plan.”

    After Friday’s games the UAE Premiership takes a break until the end of March, when the remaining three games will be played.

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