Today's Arabian Gulf Premiership opener between the Dubai Dragons and the Dubai Hurricanes could be settled by the intriguing duel at fly-half.
The Dragons snapped up Henry Connell, who had turned out for the second string of English professional outfit Leeds Rhinos before moving to Dubai, during the summer.
He has impressed during pre-season in the Dragons' problem position at stand-off, and their skipper James Wellings is expecting big things from him.
However, the Hurricanes captain Chris Gregory believes his side's tried and trusted No 10 deserves to be regarded as the best.
"Our fly-half, Chris Doyle, has done it for the last few seasons and I'm sure he is very capable of doing it again this season," said Gregory.
"I've heard the new Abu Dhabi fly-half and the new Dragons fly-half are the best in the country. They've got to prove it. We know we've got the best one - he has proved it for the past two seasons.
"He has been the best fly-half, and they have to take that off him, rather than him having to prove he is still the best."
Abu Dhabi's Jo Czerpak, who played in the same England colts side as World Cup winner Phil Vickery in his youth, is currently the man in possession of the Arabian Gulf No 10 shirt.
Czerpak was on the scoresheet for the Abu Dhabi Harlequins when they beat the Dubai Exiles in the Gulf Cup last week. The two sides meet again at Al Ghazal Golf Club in the capital tonight.
The Arabian Gulf sevens side continue their preparations for their most rigorous season to date when they host a Tri-Nations tournament this weekend.
Mike Lunjevich's side will face Hong Kong and Kazakhstan will play the Sharjah Wanderers tonight (kick-off 7pm).
They will then play the same opposition, plus a side made up of schoolboys from the touring New Zealand side Christ's College, in Abu Dhabi tomorrow evening (8pm).
The touring school have a rich rugby heritage, with the current Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and 2006 All Black James Ryan among their alumni. They take on the Arabian Gulf's U18 side tonight at Al Ghazal.
pradley@thenational.ae
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%209
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VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FLIP%204
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
