UAE Rugby gear up for season

UAE Rugby have held a training session at Dubai Sports World in the Dubai World Trade Centre complex as initial preparations for the forthcoming season began in earnest.

By Alex Leach

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Published: Tue 14 Aug 2012, 1:30 AM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 1:48 PM

A multicultural group containing the usual mix of Emiratis and expatriates were put through their paces on an artificial, indoor pitch under the watchful eyes of the embryonic union’s performance and rugby managers, Duncan Hall and Wayne Marsters, on Saturday evening.

Some familiar and fresh faces were among the playing personnel as last season’s crop were joined by those either newly qualified or returning to the fold following some time away from the international rugby scene.

Fitness and skills drills were undertaken in readiness for the physical challenges ahead, including the Asian Sevens Series next month, with Hall looking to implement improvements in the former category.

“It’s good to be back as everyone likes getting back into the rugby season,” said Hall, who represented Australia on 15 occasions between 1980 and 1983.

“For the last four weeks, we’ve had players on programmes, so we’re actually seeing if they’ve been doing the work.

“Right across the board, the big thing is fitness. All of the games are very unforgiving and Sevens is quicker and there’s more space.

“One thing is fitness and the second – which we don’t have a lot of – is speed. Wayne and I have worked hard on improving our ball skills.”


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