Hurley wants Arabian Gulf to exit in blaze of glory

Arabian Gulf Sevens stalwart Sean Hurley considers Wales and Kenya to be soft targets as they bid to go out on a high at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens next weekend.

“It’s always a challenge. We are realistic about our goals and target at least one win,” said Hurley who led the side at the event last year. “In the past we have played and beaten a couple of these teams. We want to take out Kenya and Wales.

Samoa are IRB Sevens Series holders because they are very good.”

Last year they lost in the pool matches to Australia 47-7, South Africa 36-7 and Wales 50-0 before going down to Zimbabwe 28-19 in the Bowl quarter-final and to Russia 26-12 in the Shield semifinal.

Arabian Gulf Seven coach Shane Thornton admitted that they were in a tough group. “It’s getting harder and harder to keep up with the big guns if you are not playing with them on tour. It’s tough for the boys but I’m sure they’ll put their best foot forward and give it their best shot,” said the New Zealander.

He felt the boys will have added motivation this time. “It will be nice to go out on a kind of winning note. I think we’ll have a big advantage because we’ll try to push ourselves to achieve something out of this tournament. Hopefully the crowd will be getting behind us,” he added.

Next weekend will be a momentous occasion not only for the Dubai Dragons half back as it will not only be his 11th appearance at the Dubai Sevens but also the final appearance of Arabian Gulf who will be handing over the running of the sport to regions associations on December 31.

“It’s going to be emotional I think when we finish that last game and you walk around to the cheer of the crowds. It’s going to be an end of era for a lot of people… not just myself but for anyone who has been involved in Arabian Gulf rugby,” said Hurley who has been a Dubai resident since 2000.

“I grew up on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, playing my junior rugby at Maroochydore RFC and my school, Matthew Flinders Anglican College and then I moved to playing for my University team – University of Sunshine Coast (USC) when we formed the club in 1996,” said Hurley who is passionate about the sport like any Australian Wallaby.

“I played throughout my university days at USC and we were quite successful in winning various titles. I was lucky enough to be selected and play for a number of representative teams at all age groups and regions in Queensland,” he said.

He played for clubs and social teams such as Christina Noble Children’s foundation before making his debut for Arabian Gulf at the Dubai Sevens in 2005.

Hurley was part of the Arabian Gulf XVs side which bade en emotional farewell in the Asian Five Nations rugby tournament earlier this year. “It was great to go out on a high against South Korea and get a couple of wins as well,” he said.

He is confident the Sevens squad could put up a similar sort of performance. “We have a great squad of guys who have been training hard down here for the last five months. It’s very hard to keep them motivated during the summer months but they do try hard to get fit enough but for us it’s all about next weekend. It’s something that the guys are passionate about particularly since it will be last international for the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union,” said Hurley.

As part of their preparations, the Gulf side took part in the Gold Coast Sevens tournament in Australia where they lost in the Shield final. Aside from the results he says, it helped to bring together a side which comprises players from the UK. Bahrain, Muscat and UAE.

“This is what you need for a team such as our which is almost a Barbarians side,” he said. “It’s not just about rugby skills or playing on the actual pitch. It has a lot to do with how we interact socially together because when you build that rapport, team mateship, that’s how you play better,” said Hurley who is a Development Consultant for a property firm in the region.

Hurley considers playing in the Rugby World Cup Sevens held in Dubai last year as the highlight of his career. He also had the honour of being invited to play for a social international team in Cape Town, South Africa this year.

“To play with the likes of Bob Skinstad, Tana Umaga, Tim Horan, Damian Smith, Leon Llyod, Pat Howard, Robbie Fleck, Jeremy Paul, Eric Miller etc… all ex superstar internationals was great. The team took part in the celebrations in opening the new Cape Town stadium before the soccer World Cup and we played a game against the South African Legends,” said Hurley, 32, who hopes to retire from playing Sevens after the Dubai event.

That is another reason for him to want to go out blazing although Arabian Gulf will have their hands full.