DUBAI // Dubai Exiles launched their West Asia Premiership title defence with a fitful win over Doha, but were left sweating on the outcome of DuRandt Gerber’s trip to hospital on Friday night.
The South African fly-half, who played such a key role in Exiles’ double win last season, was replaced before the end after suffering what appeared to be a serious shoulder injury.
Jacques Benade, the Exiles coach, was awaiting the medical report, but said he feared Gerber had possibly dislocated his right shoulder.
Typically, Gerber had been at the centre of most of what was good about the Exiles till then, providing a breakaway try and 16 points in total. That said, the home team were some way short of last season’s best.
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“I am so frustrated,” Benade said. “We had a brilliant week, everything was positive, but it was just turnover after turnover after turnover.
“They are good players, but they need to take ownership. Doha threatened in the first half, but I think if we could have kept the ball we could have scored more tries. In my view this was a bonus point missed.”
The corresponding fixture last year had been a classic, showcasing the best Gulf rugby has to offer.
This was the polar opposite.
Doha might be forgiven. They have lost a raft of players since then. Among others, they could have done with Jamie Clarke, last season’s captain, who was sat on the sideline supporting his erstwhile teammates.
He has since relocated to Dubai, and is now affiliated to Jebel Ali Dragons.
In the absence of him and others, Doha’s new-look squad have had little time to get to know each other so far.
To exacerbate their problem, one of their new recruits, a South African back-rower, did not make it through passport control on the trip from Qatar.
“We have had one good week together and I think we are two or three weeks behind where we want to be in terms of preparation,” Aaron Palmer, Doha’s coach, said.
“It will be difficult for us and Bahrain because we have eight away games.
“For Exiles versus Dubai Hurricanes, for example, it is still a home game for those clubs. That is why we want to make coming to Doha difficult for other teams.”
The Exiles started their competitive season a month ago. They looked rusty in the curtain-raising Champions League tournament, and they have much polishing still to do on this evidence.
In the first half, they dropped four successive kick-off receipts, and shelled most chances they had with ball in hand.
As such they were grateful their second try, after Gerber’s first half break, was a pushover from a five-metre scrum, which Ed Armitage, the scrumhalf, dotted down.
“We are not clicking at the moment, and that’s not the way we want to play rugby,” Benade said.
Elsewhere
Abu Dhabi Harlequins made easy work of Dubai Hurricanes to add an opening-day Premiership win to the Champions League trophy.
The side who finished runners up to Exiles twice last year, eased to a four-try bonus-point win at The Sevens.
The 35-13 win did not exclusively bring good news, though. Luke Stevenson, Harlequins’ influential fly-half, limped off early with a leg injury.
Bahrain made a serious statement of intent as they opened their season with a thrashing of Jebel Ali Dragons.
Their 51-10 victory brought an end to the honeymoon period for Dragons coach for Henry Paul, who was overseeing his first game in charge.
pradley@thenational.ae
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
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Madrid Open schedule
Men's semi-finals
Novak Djokovic (1) v Dominic Thiem (5) from 6pm
Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11pm
Women's final
Simona Halep (3) v Kiki Bertens (7) from 8.30pm
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Results:
5pm: Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Tahoonah, Richard Mullen (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,400m | Winner: Ajwad, Gerald Avranche, Rashed Bouresly
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: Duc De Faust, Szczepan Mazur, Younis Al Kalbani
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m | Winner: Shareef KB, Fabrice Veron, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,500m | Winner: Bainoona, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel
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Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
