Jacques Benade: Fit again DuRandt Gerber could help Dubai Exiles return to title-winning form

Dubai Exiles hope the return of the South African fly-half from long-term injury for Friday’s trip to Doha will help reboot their bid to retain their West Asia title.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 25th 2015: DuRandt Gerber, of Dubai Exiles (black) kicks the ball against the Jebel Ali Dragons (white/red/black/green)- opening round of matches of the UAE Premiership rugby season. Grant Winter for The NationalShow less

Dubai Exiles hope the return of DuRandt Gerber from long-term injury for Friday’s trip to Doha will help reboot their bid to retain their West Asia title.

Dubai’s oldest club won a double of major XVs trophies last season but have endured a troubled first half to their defence.

By the mid-season break they had lost three of six league matches, leaving them fifth in the West Asia Premiership.

The downturn in form coincided with the loss of Gerber, their influential fly-half, to a shoulder injury, in the home fixture against Doha on the opening day of the season.

After nearly four months out, Gerber is back in the No 10 shirt. He is joined in the backline by another returning South African, Xander van der Westhuizen, who has rejoined the club from Jebel Ali Dragons.

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Exiles coach Jacques Benade said Gerber’s comeback in particular will help refresh their challenge. “Having him back will raise the team’s confidence, because he was probably the man of the tournament in the competition last year,” Benade said.

“He made a massive impact, so to lose him so early in the league made it hard for the boys to adjust. We just didn’t click as a team, made some bad errors, and lost some games when we were just slack.

“We were slow, took things for granted, expected things to happen and just didn’t work hard enough.”

Despite their struggles pre-Christmas, the highly competitive nature of the competition means the holders remain in contention in the newly configured Premiership.

Abu Dhabi Harlequins, who host Dubai Hurricanes this weekend, are undefeated and clear at the top of the table.

Following them is a chasing pack that are closely bunched with only three points separating second-placed Doha and the Exiles in fifth.

Given the West Asia title concludes with play-offs, a good run in the second-half of the campaign could put even last-placed Abu Dhabi Saracens in contention.

Benade cited the example of Leicester City’s footballers in the English Premier League as an example of how difficult it can be to repeat success.

“It is very hard to defend a championship,” he said.

“If you look at Leicester in the Premiership, they are struggling. It is not easy.

“We lost some key players, but I think the new boys now understand the balance better, of how we want to play.”

Doha were a resurgent force before the break for the sevens season, becoming the only side to prevent Harlequins from winning, and Benade expects them to be a tough proposition.

“It will be a cup final for us, one we have to win, and hopefully that will bring some urgency and focus for us,” Benade said.

“Everyone is very positive about the trip. It is going to be tough, but we need this one to make the second half of our season successful.”

West Asia Premiership

Fixtures

■ Jebel Ali Dragons v Bahrain

■ Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes

■ Doha v Dubai Exiles

Table

1. Abu Dhabi Harlequins 6 5 1 0 +39 24

2. Doha 6 3 1 2 +51 17

3. Jebel Ali Dragons 6 3 0 3 -3 17

4. Bahrain 6 3 0 3 +37 15

5. Dubai Exiles 6 3 0 3 +16 14

6. Dubai Hurricanes 6 2 0 4 -97 9

7. Abu Dhabi Saracens 6 1 0 5 -43 8

UAE Conference

Fixtures

■ Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Arabian Knights

■ Abu Dhabi Saracens v Dubai Wasps

■ Heartbeat Tigers v Dubai Exiles

■ Sharjah Wanderers v Dubai Hurricanes

■ Dubai Sharks v Al Ain Amblers

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