Rugby: UAE take on Tunisia in friendly

UAE's new Rugby Performance Manager Duncan Hall will get an opportunity to see the potential of the national XVs side when they face Tunisia in a friendly in Tunis on Friday.

This will be the first of two friendlies the UAE national team will have in preparation for the Asian Five Nations Top 5 competition which commences later this month.

The fixture against 37th IRB ranked Tunisia at the National Rugby Stadium Elmenzah will be followed a fortnight later with an encounter against the UAE Barbarians in Sharjah on April 13.

Having guided the UAE Shaheen, a development side comprising largely Emiratis, to a Shield triumph at the Bangkok Sevens, Hall is gearing up for the major battles ahead where UAE will be pitted against Hong Kong (April 27 at The Sevens), Japan (May 5), Kazakhstan (May 11 at Jebel Ali Centre for Excellence in Dubai) and Korea (May 26).

Hall, a former Wallaby lock forward, believes in nurturing the attacking potential of the squad which has been bolstered by players who have shone in the short Sevens format at the Dubai Sevens and Asian Sevens Series including the likes of scrum half Emad Reyal and Emirati Mohammed Alsulaiman.

Abu Dhabi Harlequins back-row forward Alistair Thompson has been named captain of the 22-man squad.

No less than 10 new caps will be presented after a number of players recently became eligible to play for the country after satisfying the IRB’s three-year residency stipulation. A late change to the squad sees Mohammad Hassan replace Mohanned Shaker who broke a bone in his hand in training this week.

“The quality and determination is there (in the UAE squad) despite a lack of Test match experience. We’ve been working on all areas of the breakdown and putting together multi phases. We are looking at having a solid first phase for our backs to attack off and of course show we can score tries,” said the former USA coach who worked with the Indonesians before taking up the UAE job.

He is also acutely aware of the strength of the opposition.

“Mentally and physically Tunisia is a strong, tight unit,” said Hall. “They have a number of players that benefit from European and French (rugby) influences.”

He feels competing against the 2011 African Cup runners-up will benefit UAE immensely.

“Friday will be a good test of how our players can adapt and perform under pressure,” he added.

UAE Rugby’s assistant general secretary Qais Aldhalai, reflected on the broader goals, said: “It is important we continue to work with our neighbouring unions and provide our respective National squads with the opportunities to develop at this level.”

“We believe this game against Tunisia will give our squad the chance to create stronger synergy and unity which will be integral to our Asian Rugby goals. We have a reasonable foundation from last years (A5N) tournament where we climbed one spot in the tournament rankings and retained our Top 5 position, however we aim to be the best amateur side (in Asia) and will face very strong and determined opposition in Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and Korea. The outcome of the Tunisia game will give us a clear indication of our performance levels and what steps need to be taken,” he added.

UAE squad for Tunisia match:
1. Graham Murphy – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2. Jonathan Greenwood – Sharjah Wanderers
3. Dan Boatwright – Dubai Hurricanes
4. Greg Thompson – Dubai Hurricanes
5. Simon Osborne – Dubai Hurricanes
6. Alistair Thompson (captain) – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
7. Sam Cook – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
8. Brett Williams – Dubai Exiles
9. Patrick Hegarty – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
10. Murray Strang – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
11. Mohammed Alsulaiman – Dubai Wasps
12. Andy Russell – Dubai Dragons
13. Imad Reyal – Dubai Exiles
14. Sean Hurley – Dubai Dragons
15. Joel Pikari – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
16. Charles Lilley – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
17. Christopher Jones-Griffiths – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
18. Tristan Barnett – Dubai Hurricanes
19. Mohammad Hassan – Dubai Wasps
20. Abdulla Alnuaimi – Dubai Wasps
21. John Fawls – Dubai Exiles
22. Steve Smith – Dubai Hurricanes

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