DUBAI // Roelof Kotze, the performance manager, will give 12 players their first experience of international rugby when he oversees his first Test in charge of the UAE this week.
The South African coach has named a 24-man squad that differs markedly from the last time UAE played for Wednesday’s Asian Five Nations Division 1 fixture against Singapore at Dubai.
There is a strong sense that this year’s continental campaign – that amounts to solely the Test against Singapore and nothing else – is a step into the unknown for all concerned.
While Kotze is still learning about the merits of a side he has yet to see play competitively, there is also minimal information on the opposition they will be facing.
The overhaul has been so substantial since last year, the UAE’s No 1-ranking in a division that nominally also includes Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei is unlikely to count for much.
The lack of information is not solely confined to the personnel on show.
Asian rugby is in the throes of rearranging its competition structure, and it is still unclear exactly what the future will look like for these nations.
Kotze said that his sole concern has been with controlling the factors that his team can affect when they meet Singapore, who were promoted from Division 2, on Wednesday.
“With the short timeframe I have had with the team, our focus has been on our team, making our strengths so strong that whatever they bring we will be better,” Kotze said.
“Saying that, I am expecting a fast game where Singapore spread the ball wide and try to get around us, especially when they see we have a big pack.
“We don’t know what we are going to get, but from what we can gather of what we saw of them last year in the sevens, they will have good skills, so we must sort out our defence.”
Jebel Ali Dragons, the UAE champions and back-to-back treble winners, are the best represented of the domestic club sides, with five players in the squad.
Two players from Arabian Knights have been called up, while there is a contingent of five Emirati players involved.
“We are pleased to be hosting this game and we will be proud to, once again, see our expatriate players stand alongside our Emirati players when the anthem is played,” said Qais Al Dhalai, the secretary general of UAE rugby.
pradley@thenational.ae
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