DUBAI // Given Imad Reyal’s approach to rugby sevens, the Dubai resident’s choice of mouth guard this weekend does not particularly surprise.
Born in Sri Lanka, he would have been more concerned back home with raising enough funds to facilitate his love of the short format, when jersey, shorts and boots would have assumed natural priority.
So, as he prepared to resume his role this year as a temporary member of Hunters, the side he helped secure the 2012 International Social title, he was faced with a fresh dilemma.
Having always played the sport without a gum shield, Reyal, who represents the Jebel Ali Dragons in the domestic game here, was provided the opportunity to finally own one thanks to Dentcare, Hunters’ Dubai-based sponsors.
Known for his swagger on the pitch, the fleet-footed fullback predictably opted for some serious swag at the clinic, too.
“Everyone got to pick their own colours, so I went for black and gold,” Reyal said yesterday, after his team had safely negotiated passage to the trophy quarter-finals. “It’s got my name on it as well, so it’s pretty cool. I picked it to look flashy.”
Expect him to be flashing that winning smile throughout the weekend. Judging by Hunters’ display on Day 1 – the holders won all three of their matches, with an aggregate score of 168-0 – that mouth guard should get plenty of exposure.
That Reyal has spent his whole rugby career without one is testament to his passion, not to mention courage.
Solid but diminutive, he is one of the competition’s smaller combatants, yet for someone who cut their teeth in 2011 for the UAE against bruisers from Samoa and Fiji, protecting his pearly whites never really crossed his mind. Typically costing around Dh3,000, he was understandably grateful for Dentcare’s support.
“All the other boys were wearing them, but I was like ‘I’m Sri Lankan anyway’,” Reyal said. “Almost no one there wears a mouth guard. The people who can afford them do, and most of the players playing for clubs get paid, so they have them.
“But this is the first time I’ve worn one. It was uncomfortable at first, but now I’m loving it.”
If only Reyal could have got fitted out a few weeks beforehand. Earlier this month, when featuring for the Dragons against Dubai Hurricanes in the UAE Premiership final, he was smashed in the mouth by a cheap-shot from an opponent, leaving him concussed for the next 10 minutes.
As his victorious teammates celebrated that night, Reyal spent the evening trying to recall what actually happened. He still draws a blank, although the perilous pursuit of yet more success means he will not be changing his never-say-die attitude.
His newest piece of equipment will help, of course, although his dentist would probably want to look away now. “I’ll always give my best anyway,” Reyal said with a wide grin. “I don’t care about getting smashed.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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