“It could help build momentum playing two weeks in a row, but it will be interesting to see how the players cope,” UAE rugby performance manager Roy Kotze said. “It might be a formula for future circuits. If you are exposed to a tour like this, it is always a good thing." Pawan Singh / The National
“It could help build momentum playing two weeks in a row, but it will be interesting to see how the players cope,” UAE rugby performance manager Roy Kotze said. “It might be a formula for future circuits. If you are exposed to a tour like this, it is always a good thing." Pawan Singh / The National
“It could help build momentum playing two weeks in a row, but it will be interesting to see how the players cope,” UAE rugby performance manager Roy Kotze said. “It might be a formula for future circuits. If you are exposed to a tour like this, it is always a good thing." Pawan Singh / The National
“It could help build momentum playing two weeks in a row, but it will be interesting to see how the players cope,” UAE rugby performance manager Roy Kotze said. “It might be a formula for future circu

Sport

Roelof Kotze expects UAE Under-20 sevens side to be tested on Asian tour

The age-group side fly to Malaysia on Wednesday evening for this weekend’s opening leg of the new-format series. It will be followed by a direct trip to Hong Kong for the second leg next weekend, writes Paul Radley.

Paul Radley
Paul Radley
Dubai

July 21, 2017

  • English
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DUBAI // Roelof Kotze, the UAE performance manager, said the national Under-20 sevens side will be in unknown territory when they play tournaments on successive weekends for the first time in the Asian Sevens Series.

The age-group side fly to Malaysia on Wednesday evening for this weekend’s opening leg of the new-format series. It will be followed by a direct trip to Hong Kong for the second leg next weekend.

The back-to-back competitions make more financial sense for travelling sides than the split series of the past, but it could represent a gruelling programme for the young players.

“It could help build momentum playing two weeks in a row, but it will be interesting to see how the players cope,” Kotze said. “It might be a formula for future circuits. If you are exposed to a tour like this, it is always a good thing.

“The only worry we might have is seeing if we can maintain a full squad for the second week.”

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Three of the leading players from last year’s U20 campaign have since moved abroad to study, while Charlie Sargent, the Exiles wing, is too old to qualify.

Kotze is still confident the new side are capable of improving on the sixth-place finish in last season’s series.

The South African coach said a top-four finish will represent success this time around.

“The mistakes we made that cost us in Hong Kong last year we have addressed and I think we have fixed them,” he said.

“We want to be third or fourth, at worst, that is what we are aiming for.

“Our Emirati players have taken a step up, have a year more experience, and the expats we have can provide a little bit of something special.”

UAE Under-20 squad Kipruto Chirchir, Tomasi Tirikula, Khalid Al Junaibi, Hamad Al Shkeili, Devante Steele, Younes Al Blooshi, Abdullah Al Shkeili, Ebrahim Doraee, Majid Al Balooshi, Jeremy Kilicanasau, Fahad Sabt, Adel Al Hendi

pradley@thenational.ae

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