Harlequins and Dragons will play for UAE Premiership title to televised audience

Abu Dhabi Harlequins and Abu Dhabi Saracensplay a January match at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. Ravindranath K / The National file

DUBAI // UAE club rugby fixtures will be televised for the first time when Friday’s UAE Premiership finals day is shown on Dubai Sports.

The UAE Community and Conference league finals at Dubai Sports City will be aired live, with English commentary.

The showpiece match, the Premiership final between Abu Dhabi Harlequins and Jebel Ali Dragons, will also be screened, although possibly on delay. Discussions are ongoing about broadcasting the season’s finale live.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to bring [these] finals live to our sporting community, domestically and regionally,” said Ibrahim Nasser Buhamer, UAE Rugby Federation Board Member.

“One of our longtime strategic objectives has come to reality, and we would like to thank Dubai Sports for assisting in making this possible.”

__________________________________

Read more

■ Abu Dhabi Harlequins defeat Bahrain in West Asia Cup final to win trophy No 4

■ England Six Nations winners lend a hand at Dubai Hurricanes coaching clinic

■ Abu Dhabi Harlequins set for 'big push' in bid to complete clean sweep of rugby titles

__________________________________

According to Qais Al Dhalai, the secretary general of the UAERF, having matches televised is a significant achievement for the game here.

“It’s another unprecedented milestone for the whole of the Middle East region to have the UAE Premiership finals day live on Dubai Sports channel,” Al Dhalai said. “It was one of our strategic objectives and by tomorrow it will be a reality.”

Paul Hart, the Jebel Ali Dragons director of rugby, said the fact the games will be televised is a massive boost for the sport in the region. He does believe it will distract his teammates from the task at hand, though.

“None of us had an idea this was going to happen, but it is great for our sponsors, the club brand, and the game in general. It is good publicity for the sport,” Hart said.

“Playing the last game of the season as a final, against our old rivals from the Quins, is motivation enough.

“It is obviously nice in terms of exposure that it is going to be televised, but I don’t think the guys could be any more motivated. There may be a few more haircuts that happen before kick off, though.”

It is not the first time club rugby in the Arabian Gulf has been televised. When Harlequins themselves won the Gulf Cup in 2010 in Bahrain, the match was aired live in English and Arabic on Bahrain Sports.

This time, the side from the capital are looking to win a fifth major title out of five available to their first XV this season.

To emphasise their dominance, Harlequins also have two other teams in action on finals day. Their second string face Al Ain Amblers for the UAE Conference title, while their third XV “Barbarians” play their Dragons equivalents in the Community League.

Having the resources to support all that, especially given the confusion over the potential rejig of kick off times after the late announcement of the TV broadcast, is a challenge.

However, Mike McFarlane, the Harlequins coach, says his side are ready for the final push to complete their perfect season.

“[Having the match televised] is class, because live rugby is the next step,” McFarlane said.

“The squad looks great. All the boys are ready for the last one. Training has been light, the boys are fresh, and we have just tweaked a few areas for us to focus on.”

Harlequins claimed the West Asia Cup on Friday when they beat Bahrain at Zayed Sports City, but McFarlane is hoping for an improved performance this time around.

“We were fairly disappointed with our slow start, so we will look to fly out of the blocks, and we know if we get into our structures early, we will take apart teams,” McFarlane said.

UAE Rugby finals day

All matches at Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Entrance is free

• 1pm, Community League — Abu Dhabi Harlequins Barbarians v Jebel Ali Dragons III

• 3pm, UAE Conference — Abu Dhabi Harlequins II v Al Ain Amblers

• 5pm, UAE Premiership — Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons​

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport