DUBAI // The difference between the professionals of Asian rugby and the rest was all too apparent at The Sevens last night.
On Pitch Two, Japan's computer analyst and former All Black coach carefully scrutinised their professional players as they ran through a training session using all the best speed and agility equipment money can buy.
Meanwhile, over on Pitch One, Qatar's leading player, Paul Beard, marshaled his newly-formed side to victory against Jordan in the Asian Five Nations Division IV, before rushing to the airport for a late night flight back to Doha.
Beard, a consultant with Reed Specialist Recruitment, had to be back at work this morning.
He will head back to Dubai again this evening in time to join up with his new national teammates ahead of their final against Lebanon tomorrow.
"I have a hectic schedule at work," Beard, who has long been used to criss-crossing the Gulf for rugby, having been born and raised in the UAE, said.
"Playing with Doha, an away game means you are always travelling.
"In Dubai, if the Exiles [the club where he learnt the game] played against the Hurricanes that is still in Dubai, and even against Abu Dhabi it is still within the UAE and an easy trip.
"With Doha, for every away game you have to travel, but you do get used to it and I think that is what makes Gulf rugby so much fun."
The Qatar side, who are light on funding and experience, only landed in the UAE at 11pm on Tuesday ahead of yesterday's game.
Their day lolling by the hotel pool was time well spent, however, as they looked sharp from the start.
Shane Kelly, the hooker, burrowed over to score their first try at an international level as Qatar held a comfortable lead at half-time.
Gavin Piek, the No 8, profited from a neat break by Beard to touch down in the second-half, then added the coup de grace with another try with the final play of the game.
Lebanon earlier clinched their place in tomorrow's final with a 34-15 win over Uzbekistan, inspired by Karim Jammal, their fly-half.
