DUBAI // He warned everyone it was going to happen - now the Terminator is back at the Dubai Rugby Sevens this weekend. Apollo Perelini, who last visited the event four years ago, and retired from playing as a dual code Samoa international in 2002, will be turning out in the "friendly" competition. The forward is playing for the Air Miles V-Blacks, who are seeking to win back a trophy they used to think of as their own private property from the Multiplex Marauders. Perelini qualifies to play as a resident of Dubai, having left the English rugby league club St Helens and moved here this month to head up the rugby section of the Elite Sporting Academy.
"I've been roped into playing in the sevens - hopefully these old knees will hold up," Perelini said. "I brought some of the boys from St Helens here in 2004. We made the International Invitational final but got beaten by the South Sea Drifters. "The St Helens players, in their off-season, decided they wanted a trip to Dubai. We came here and averaged 50 points a game. Up to the final, we only had one try scored against us. A lot of people started to appreciate rugby league after that."
pradley@thenational.ae