2024 year in review: UAE can turn Rugby World Cup qualification dream into reality after inspirational run

National team have made giant strides in a short span and have also added Emirati talent into their fold

UAE suffered a narrow 26-20 loss to Germany, in red, during a Test match at The Sevens in November. Pawan Singh / The National

The idea of the UAE qualifying for a Rugby World Cup once seemed far-fetched, even fanciful. Then, over the course of nine months, two things happened to make it seem just about possible – and in the near future, too.

First, World Rugby ratified the decision to expand the next World Cup, in Australia in 2027, from 20 to 24 teams. It meant an automatic qualification place for an extra Asian team at that event, in addition to Japan whose place in Australia was already assured.

Still, the effects of that low-key announcement in October 2023 did not have obvious immediate relevance to the game in the Emirates. The national team had only just bounced back to the top-flight of the Asian game, and were still seemingly far off the pace set by the top sides on the continent.

Then, in the heat of the summer in the desert, the national team made everyone else sit up and take note, by claiming their finest result to date - a first ever win over South Korea. When they subsequently beat Malaysia, again in the sweltering heat of June in Dubai, it gave them the runners-up berth in the Asia Rugby Championship for the first time.

UAE players celebrate a try by scrum-half Andrew Semple (No 9) in their 36-32 win over South Korea in the Asian Rugby Championship at The Sevens Stadium, Dubai. All photos: Jon Ebbitt

Matt Mills, the UAE captain, is hoping the national team can repeat their historic success against South Korea when they face Malaysia on Friday, June 21, 2024.

Moeneeb Galant dives over to score a try for the UAE in the win against South Korea at the Sevens Stadium.

Jaen Botes breaks a tackle as UAE attack against South Korea.

The UAE defence thwarts a South Korean attack.

Apollo Perelini, centre, oversaw the finest win of his long spell as UAE coach when they beat South Korea.

A repeat of that in 2025 would not give them a place at the World Cup. It would, though, be good enough for them to participate at the repechage play-off, against sides from other continents, in a competition that carries with it the final qualifying place.

Their ambitions remain undimmed. They will host Hong Kong, who have been the best side in Asia – outside of Japan – for years now. They will again hope to use the soaring temperature of summer in Dubai as a weapon for them in that fixture.

Unlike in 2024, though, they will cede home advantage for the potentially pivotal game against South Korea. By which point, there could well be an extra spring in the step of the Koreans.

That unprecedented loss to the national team in the summer has already seemingly stung South Korea. They were much improved later in the year against a Zimbabwe side who put UAE to the sword in a friendly match in Dubai in November.

But there is a bigger reason to think the UAE might be met by the full force of a new South Korea next summer – and it involves Netflix.

The streaming service this month aired the first show of a new Korean series called Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die. It replicates reality shows which have already proved highly popular there, and involves rugby-related challenges, including scrum and kicking battles.

The show will also include a knockout competition to decide the country’s best rugby team.

If the show does deliver on its stated intention of inspiring people to follow and take up rugby, the stands might swell for the UAE’s visit in the ARC.

Emirati rugby player Mohammed Ali is part of the UAE Shaheen team. Antonie Robertson/The National

The fact the national team are even considering such lofty aims is a marker of the advance the game has made in the country over the past 12 months.

That is not confined to the traditional rugby-loving expatriate community. The UAE Rugby Federation’s development programme for the indigenous population also showed its clearest evidence of progress this year.

At the Dubai Sevens on the National Day weekend, the UAE Shaheen side inscribed their name on the Gulf Men’s League trophy for the first time.

There were seven good reasons why it was predictable Shaheen might make a success of their debut in that tournament. After all, their 12-player squad did have seven outstanding Fijian players in it – each of whom ranks among the leading players in the abridged format in the country.

Of greater significance was the fact the squad included five Emiratis. The winning try in the rout of Pegler Dragons in the final was scored by Mohammed Hatem, who only took up rugby as he thought it neatly married his twin favourite pursuits of football and wrestling.

On the same weekend, Al Maha, the pioneering side of Emirati females, showed more evidence of their increased competitiveness. They won two of their four matches in a Gulf Women’s tournament that also involved an all-Saudi side for the first time.

Saudi Tuwaiq are the first all-Saudi women's rugby team and took part in last week's Emirates Dubai Sevens tournament. All photos courtesy of Laith Marzouq, Saudi Arabia Rugby Federation

Saudi Tuwaiq in action against AUC Rugby in their final pool match at the Emirates Dubai Sevens.

Players from the Saudi Tuwaiq side listen in to a pre-game pep talk.

Saudi Tuwaiq retain possession at a ruck against AUC Rugby.

Saudi Tuwaiq players listen to coach Meriem Mekni's team talk.

Captain Ameera Marghalani says she loves the solidarity between the players that rugby fosters.