DUBAI // While one rugby league convert hogged the rugby agenda this week by being named in the England squad, another who once coveted such a place has been in the UAE helping out fledgling players.
Like Sam Burgess, Kyle Eastmond cut his teeth in the 13-man code, now plays for Bath and has represented England at centre in recent times.
He was cut from the extended squad some time before yesterday’s final decision was made for the World Cup. Instead of fretting over the announcement, he has been in Dubai.
On Wednesday night, he assisted the UAE Shaheen at training at The Sevens, Dubai. His former colleague at St Helens in rugby league, Apollo Perelini, took charge of the Emirati development side this summer and enlisted his friend to help out.
For the first time, the Shaheen will play regular XVs rugby this season after being included in the new third-tier Community League.
Mohammed Shaker, a UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF) board member, says talented Emirati players will still be encouraged to join leading clubs, especially if invited to play at Premiership level.
However, he sees the Shaheen side in the new third-tier competition as the perfect access point to 15-a-side rugby for novice players.
“The senior Emirati players will still be encouraged to go to their clubs,” Shaker said.
“For the new, young boys, who want to learn about rugby and to get experience of the game, Shaheen is the best place for the boys. It is home for them.”
Gabby Couzens, the UAERF administrative manager, says new Emirati players will benefit from playing alongside their compatriots while learning the game.
“The players have been told that unless they get selected to play for their clubs first or second sides, they should play for Shaheen,” she said.
“It will be easier in terms of translation and things like that. Apollo started with them, has taken the coaching back to basics, and it is not just new players, it is a new style.
“They are playing XVs and once they get the hang of it, if someone at another club says we want you to come and play for our club, for our seconds or firsts, they must go.
“For development players, it will be fun for them if they are playing with their friends.”
Roelof Kotze, the UAE performance manager, says regular XVs competition for Shaheen will mean fewer players will be lost once the country’s school pathway system ends.
“Until now, Shaheen players had only got a chance in sevens and 10s,” Kotze said.
“By creating a XVs platform, we are bringing back the boys who at school were keen to play but couldn’t maintain sevens or 10s. It gives them an opportunity to come back into the system.”
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