A round-up of the big stories from Thursday at the Dubai Rugby Sevens.
Penitani injury sours Australia wins
Australia opened the defence of their Dubai Rugby Sevens with three wins in their pool, but their joy was tempered by an injury to Tiana Penitani.
Penitani was hospitalised after suffering a neck injury in the first half of the 19-10 win over United States in the last match of Day 1.
Tim Walsh, the Australia coach, said he was optimistic about the results of an x-ray on Thursday night.
“Overall I can’t complain to much with the performance, but our thoughts are with Tiana at the moment,” said Walsh, whose side had earlier beaten South Africa and last year’s runners-up Russia.
UAE girls on the board
A breakthrough week for Emirati rugby peaked as two UAE national girls scored tries.
In the Gulf Women’s competition, Sophie Shams, 17, capped an outstanding senior Sevens debut for Heartbeat Tigers, as she scored the fifth try in a 59-7 win over Kuwait Scorpions.
Across town at Dubai Sports City, UAE Under 18s lost their final two matches in a six-team international tournament.
However, Asmar Marwan, their captain, had the honour of becoming the first Emirati girl to score a competitive try.
“This was a great moment for us,” Sami Smara, the UAE Rugby Federation development officer, said.
Serevi takes the field
Spectators on the outside fields at the Sevens this weekend have been given an unexpected bonus, as Waisale Serevi has decided to shelve retirement plans for another year.
The Fiji sevens great had planned to stick to a coaching brief with J9 in the International Vets, having won the competition last year.
However, a late spate of withdrawals from Joost van der Westhuizen’s charity side meant Serevi, 48, was fully kitted out again, and ready to go ahead of the 9am match on Day 1.
J9 started their title defence by beating Sanitas Alcobendas 59-0 and Tehran 67-0.
Joining Jack up and running
Joining Jack have enviable firepower on to the sidelines, with Jason Robinson and Martin Offiah part of their extended tour party. They are not short of it on the field either.
Andy Farrell, the former rugby league star, will have been happy with their opening days’ work in the International Vets, given that they kept a clean sheet, too.
Farrell has just been part of the brain trust which masterminded Ireland’s Test wins over New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, as the team’s defence coach. He was central to Joining Jack’s Day 1 wins over Cairo Old Crocs, and Funny Peppers.
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