Five years after suffering a knee injury that has left him with permanently impaired mobility, Winston Cowie returned to the same playing field to renew his rugby career on Friday.
The New Zealander was recruited by Abu Dhabi Saracens this summer to act as a non-playing head coach. As an experienced hooker in the past, though, he also registered as a player to cover any potential problems regarding front-row availability.
More Gulf rugby
• Rikus Swart: South African an important emerging talent for Abu Dhabi Saracens
• Saracens: After recruiting Winston Cowie as coach, club eyeing return to top
That was what faced them when visa issues prevented a variety of Saracens players from making the trip to Doha for their first official match in this season’s West Asia Premiership.
Only 13 of the original 22-man squad were able to travel. It meant Cowie and even the team physiotherapist, Tim Fletcher, the former Arabian Gulf player whose playing career was also curtailed by injury, were forced into emergency action.
Saracens eventually assembled a match day squad of 17 players, but were soundly beaten 37-7 as Doha bounced back from their opening day loss to Dubai Exiles.
Cowie was proud of his side’s display in adversity, on the field where he suffered serious ligament damage to his right knee in a match in 2011.
“Our boys put in a courageous shift considering all the problems we had, but it was a tough day at the office,” said Cowie, who is a former captain of Doha.
“The front row - Craig Nutt, Murray Reason, Andy Crabtree and Ross Byres - were huge. We must have had 100 scrums. From a personal point of view, to be out there for the full 80 minutes was fantastic and I loved every minute of it.
“I hadn’t planned to play this season, but I have got the hunger back after being involved with such a good bunch of guys at Saracens.”
In Dubai, Bahrain maintained their fine start to the season as they followed up their opening day thrashing of Jebel Ali Dragons with an away win at Dubai Hurricanes.
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Asia Cup Qualifier
Final
UAE v Hong Kong
Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am
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May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
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Investors: Core42
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Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
