Developing Emirati talent

UAE Rugby Union team UAE Rugby Union Coach Duncan Hall is happy with the progress his young players are making. Former Australia international Hall was appointed performance director of the team back in February, with responsibilities of coaching UAE's national 15-a-side and sevens teams. Hall knew of the task facing him in a country where football is the most popular sport. One of the key positives for him has been the way in which native Emiratis are now playing the game. "When I came in February we had six Emiratis playing senior rugby. Now I've got a squad of 20 to 30. Our teams at the moment are a blend of Emiratis and expats. The next challenge is to develop more Emiratis," he told The Australian.
The development of the new rugby sevens format into becoming an Olympic sport has meant Hall is preparing local players to represent the national team. "They are the only people who can represent UAE in international sevens because under Olympic criteria you have to have a passport and they are very difficult to get if you are not a full-blooded Emirati," he added
The 55-year old who played 15 Tests for Australia between 1980 to 1983 wants UAE to be known for playing the Ella brothers' famous running game. "I'm teaching them what I call shaheen rugby. Shaheen is Arabic for falcon. It's a philosophy of the game. It's about movement, support play, Ella rugby," he said.
Last year, the UAE team took part in the Asian Five Nations tournament, finishing fourth.