UAE rugby on the right path, but fulfilling fixtures needs to be addressed by all teams



Apollo Perelini, the UAE coach, said last week that the domestic club game is currently at the highest standard he has ever seen it.

That is quite an endorsement from somebody of his standing. Perelini, a former Test player for Samoa, has followed the game closely since he arrived in Dubai in 2008, as an occasional player and, more recently, a coach at youth, development and national team level.

Read more from Paul Radley:

UAE rugby coach Apollo Perelini pleased with talent pool now available to him

Dubai Exiles turn on the style to complete UAE and West Asia double

Abu Dhabi Harlequins' Iziq Foa'i making great strides toward pro career in New Zealand

Emiratis 'getting better and better' with UAE Shaheen programme, says Apollo Perelini

Nobody that saw any of the classic match ups between Dubai Exiles and Abu Dhabi Harlequins, for instance, at the top of the playing tree would argue with his view.

The 2015/16 season did have some flaws, though. At top-flight level, three of the six teams — each of whom also fielded second and third XVs — forfeited matches at first-team level during the season.

A tier down, Sharjah Wanderers, the eventual champions, were top of the UAE Conference Top Six just after the turn of the year, having not played a game. Of the five matches they were scheduled to play in that section of the competition, three were walkovers as the opposition could not raise a side.

Outside of the country, meanwhile, Doha, Muscat and Bahrain must have been sick of the sight of each other by the end of another campaign dotted with repetitive excursions to the same places.

We asked five clubs of varying aspirations what is going right, what needs to be rethought, and what they are doing to get ahead.

Repeating success

Dubai Exiles

How they did

First XV: UAE Premiership and West Asia champions

Second XV: Fifth in UAE Conference

Mike Wolff, the Exiles chairman, said: “In terms of the competition structure, many clubs would welcome playing a season-long West Asia competition, and have a meaningful Gulf League.

“That would allow us to plan the season effectively and husband our resources more effectively. As a club, we would be open to playing this either as a play-off system or a league system.

“I think what is best for rugby at the moment is the West Asia competition. I do think that is more interesting and exciting, the idea that Bahrain or Doha are coming to town, or you are travelling into the lion’s den.

“We have a relatively small men’s squad, of around 50 players, and that means managing our resources very carefully.

“We forfeited a seconds game near the end of the season. That was because we were suffering injuries, and the focus was obviously on the first team going for the double.

“I don’t think you should be putting out a third team unless you are sure you have a pretty strong second team, especially in terms of numbers.”

Aiming for the top

Abu Dhabi Harlequins

How they did

First XV: Dubai Rugby Sevens champions; UAE Premiership and West Asia runners-up

Second XV: Third in UAE Conference

Third XV: Third in UAE Community League

The capital’s oldest club might have leapfrogged back above the shock 2015 West Asia champions, their city rivals Saracens, in the standings this season.

Attaining the status of best side in the region remains elusive, though. Harlequins were twice undone by Jebel Ali Dragons in grand finals under the old system.

This time around, they were forced into second place by the resurgent Exiles in a first-past-the-post league format.

Andy Cole, the Harlequins chairman, said he is proud of the way his club works, and will not be looking for any drastic fixes.

“Two of the senior players who missed the Exiles match [in the penultimate week of the UAE Premiership season] for the wedding used to be professional players in the UK,” Cole said.

“We have made a unanimous decision as a club that we will not pay players. We might assist with jobs and even accommodation, as we know that is one of the biggest issues.

“We won’t go down the path of paying players as we know some clubs are struggling with financial issues. Seven players in our first team for some matches have come through our junior ranks.

“To have that at first-team level is exactly what you want. If you can do that here, it is brilliant.”

Beyond the UAE

Doha

How they did

First XV: West Asia Champions League winners; Gulf Premiership champions. Third in West Asia Championship

Aaron Palmer, the Doha head coach, said: “We rely on the UAE for meaningful rugby. We are very appreciative of that. Now we have the Qatar Rugby Federation slowly establishing itself, which we hope can work alongside the UAE Rugby Federation as well.

“From a Doha RFC point of view, having played and coached in the competition, I would like to see a West Asia Top 8, playing two full rounds home and away, with a semi-final and final at the end.

“This could be split into a top-four and bottom-four at the end. Fifteen or sixteen matches across the course of a season should be more than enough because no one is a professional rugby player over here.

“We are all out here for our careers, not for professional rugby, and a lot of the players are late-20s to mid-30s and have families or other commitments.

“That is the reality. A lot of players with families long for a weekend off, because tha’s the balance of living in the Middle East, which we sometimes lose sight of.

“We don’t enjoy playing Bahrain and Muscat four times a year. It gets boring. Then we get one shot at Exiles, or one shot at Saracens, and if you don’t win that is your chance gone.”

On the rise

Sharjah Wanderers

How they did

First XV: UAE Conference champions

Shane Breen, the Wanderers chairman, said: “This year we had three of the biggest clubs, who all have three teams, forfeit against us. Two of those clubs then went on to play their first and third teams on the same day and cancel their seconds game.

“Some of this was apparently down to injuries to front row but also due to safety concerns over third-team players playing Sharjah’s first team. Admittedly we are a first team, but that’s only because we’re our only team!

“I appreciate safety should be a primary concern, however these teams play in a league with the likes of Beaver Nomads, who could easily compete well in the Conference, and there should be more of an emphasis on making sure Conference fixtures are fulfilled.

“I think the only way to achieve this is a fine or points deduction system. However, where safety is highlighted as the reason, it is hard to fine someone.

“The UAERF should take a stance on what constitutes a justifiable reason for forfeiting and teams penalised if they don’t provided a justifiable reason or are found to be repeat offenders. Clubs shouldn’t be allowed to play their third teams and not their seconds though.”

Changing perspective

Dubai Sharks

How they did

First XV: Seventh in UAE Conference

Second XV: Sixth in UAE Community League

Third XV: Seventh in UAE Community League

Despite having three teams in the two divisions below the top tier, the Sharks did not miss a fixture during the season.

Mike Quinn, Sharks chairman, said: “It is disappointing when any club forfeits a game in which their first XV are playing. It demonstrates a certain disrespect for our great game.

“I believe if you have enough players, you always fulfil the fixture scheduled for your team that is playing at the highest level possible that particular day.

“There needs to be a formula that allows all teams in the UAE Premiership to play league games every week and have something to fight for, right until the final couple of games of the league.

“However it must encompass the West Asia competition and maybe use a structure similar to the UAE Conference, where all teams play each other once and then the league splits, maybe into two or even three leagues. Every game then becomes important.

“The Sharks are still a very young club. The 2016/2017 season is actually the 10-year anniversary of when the club first played a competitive fixture as the Arabian Potbellies.

“The fact we are still relatively young may make it easier for us to retain some of our original goals and aspirations of playing enjoyable social rugby.”

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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias

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Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev

Singles match John Cena v Triple H

Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto

MATCH INFO

Delhi Daredevils 174-4 (20 ovs)
Mumbai Indians 163 (19.3 ovs)

Delhi won the match by 11 runs

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Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

ENGLAND SQUAD

Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

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Transmission: 10-speed automatic

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Your Guide to the Home
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
  • 2018: Formal work begins
  • November 2021: First 17 volumes launched 
  • November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
  • October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
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Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

The biog

Name: Sari Al Zubaidi

Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati

Age: 42

Marital status: single

Favourite drink: drip coffee V60

Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia 

Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude 

RESULTS

5pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

Winner AF Nashrah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

5.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner Mutaqadim, Riccardo Iacopini, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.

6pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Hameem, Jose Santiago, Abdallah Al Hammadi.

6.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner AF Almomayaz, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

7pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m

Winner Dalil Al Carrere, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.

7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m

Winner Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m

Winner Jayide Al Boraq, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.

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Jonathan Miller, Scribe Publications

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

The biog

Hobbies: Writing and running
Favourite sport: beach volleyball
Favourite holiday destinations: Turkey and Puerto Rico​

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Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
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Investments: Grants/private funding
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Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000

Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder

Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm

Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm

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Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km

RESULTS

1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m
Winner: Dirilis Ertugrul, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer)
2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m
Winner: Kidd Malibu, Sandro Paiva, Musabah Al Muhairi
2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m
Winner: Raakezz, Tadhg O’Shea, Nicholas Bachalard
3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m
Winner: Au Couer, Sean Kirrane, Satish Seemar
3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
Winner: Rayig, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m
Winner: King’s Shadow, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
​​​​​​​Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books

Miss Granny

Director: Joyce Bernal

Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa

3/5

(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)

Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush

Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”

A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.

“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”

Sri Lanka v England

First Test, at Galle
England won by 211

Second Test, at Kandy
England won by 57 runs

Third Test, at Colombo
From Nov 23-27

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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