Tales from the Desert

Picture Gallery

Mon – 6 Dec 10

An early morning start saw our newly promoted pathfinders Jack, Joe, Ledua and Apo lead the way to a photo shoot then it was back to admin in preparation for our return to the UK. Some (we wont mention any names Charlie, Daz) has to have a panic tan before our departure back to the warmth of blighty being reported as in an ice age condition at present! How much are we looking forward to that – NOT!

Even being knocked out in the semi finals 38-14, Marauders International finally won the competition 44-5 to France Development! So we can be proud to what we achieved and hold our heads up high. We also won the respect of the local people both on Dubai, but also within the iRB circuit of organisers.

Before we do sign off, we must finally say goodbye to Bainivalu Bulumakau (commonly known as Bull to his friends). One of the founders to the ARU 7s team in 2000 and has remained there as a player, fitness coach, coach and spiritual leader, it is sad to have to say goodbye to him as he is leaving the Army next year. A true character in life and a true gentleman but also a friend, you will be surely missed and extremely hard to replace. Thank you from all the team past and present, we wish you all the very best for the future for you and the family, please do keep in touch – God Bless and Vinaka.

Sun – 5 Dec 10

With a late start the day was mainly recovery from the training and competition, medical guru Charlie lead the field in holistic recovery techniques, some of which I am sure we wouldn’t wish to copy! However, the rest of the day we went out for a tour around Dubai with our local coach driver showing us all the spectacular sights of the city and then back to the hotel for evening meal and then relaxing and personal admin.

Sat – 4 Dec 10 – Competition Day 2

Matches

Sat – 4 Dec 10 (TQF2 – 9.20am) – British Army (28) v Moscow Region (7)

Sat – 4 Dec 10 (TSF1 – 12.00pm) – British Army (14) v Marauders International (38)

Another early start due to the KO time of 0920 hrs, we completed the normal pre departures checks before heading to the stadium. Once we received the timetable for the next days activities and location we could see our first game was going to be against Moscow Region which is basically the Russia Development Team.

From the KO Moscow Region started to apply the pressure with relentless running lines and angles to pin the Reds within the red zone until they broke through our lines in the forth minute scoring a converted try in the left corner. From the restart the Reds passed the ball from the left to the right side of the pitch to see a gap for Semesa Rokoduguni to strike at the end of the sixth minute under the posts. This gave the score 7-7 at the break.

With a calm word from the coach, the Reds came out the second half in a different manner. Using the ball to attack Moscow the ball was passed left to right to eventually see Maika Burenivalu with his blistering pace score in the second minute under the post which was successfully converted 14-7. Moscow seemed shocked by the change in tactics but soon adjusted to our style to solidify their defence until Joe Kava bulldozed his way through to score left of the post which was converted by Roko to give the score 21-7. From the restart the ball was won by the Reds to see speedster Maika Burenivalu run around the outside of there defence to score a converted try in the seventh minute to see the Reds winning 28-7.

With our coach smiling, clear direction was given to relax out of the sun and prepare for the semi finals against Marauders International, basically the South Africa Squad using this competition to test all there players for the iRB series. This we knew was going to be a test, especially in the middle of the day with a hot sun baking us in the desert, however, the guys as always were up for it and ready to go.

Before we knew it warm up was complete and the teams lines up for the KO with the Army winning the toss and deciding to select ends. Immediately receiving the kick the ball was passed to Jack Pasard to see him dummy pass 3 players to finally sprinting 60 meters to score under the posts with Roko converting to give the Reds a 7-0 lead. Being inspired with the start the Reds applied pressure from the restart to win the ball with Apo Satala leading a charge to score right of the up rights in the second minute to see the Reds leading 14-0. Totally shocked the Marauders International wasn’t going to retire without a fight and saw them refocus and apply pressure in all phases of the game which saw them running in 3 tries before the break to give them back the lead 19-14 at the break.

With the local press stating this should have been the final, we knew the second half would be a test for all aspects of the team, however, sadly we saw Marauders International like the Reds can do step up a gear and run in 3 unanswered tries to finally seeing them win 38-14. This was a was a first class act with which we later had confirmed by there coach that they had been part of the national team and spent the last two weeks in Sri Lanka preparing for the games and only losing to Fiji by 2pts last week! Even losing the local support to the team was outstanding.

Being knocked out of the competition there was only one thing to do; watch the iRB teams and before we forget watch our new international player earn his first cap for Russia!!!! Don’t worry you didn’t read it wrong, yes the Reds had a player selected to play for Russia due to injuries within their squad, so our travelling reserve was called up to play for the team. Sikeli Ratubuli was selected by the Russia Squad to play for them under agreement with the iRB and ARU7s Manager to see him on the bench for the Russia v Portugal game and then earn his cap coming on as a sub in Russia v Argentina game. This was an excellent achievement for a soldier who has been a part of the squad throughout the season and having the chance to experience the big stage was an outstanding end to the year, well done Sikeli, totally deserved.

Then it was on to watch the iRB competition which saw England beat New Zealand in the semi finals and lining up with Samoa for the finals. Proudly the Reds the final of the Dubai iRB Series with an excellent display from Isoa Damudamu leading charge up the field on numerous occasions to see England winning the match and finally getting a result which they deserve. Well done to Ben Ryan and his team for an excellent display of rugby, we all wish you great success for the rest of the series.

Fri – 3 Dec 10 – Competition Day 1

Matches

Fri – 3 Dec 10 (10.00am) – British Army (38) v Sparak MG (17)

Fri – 3 Dec 10 (1.49pm) – British Army (33) v Homeboyz Rugby FC (12)

Fri – 3 Dec 10 (5.20pm) – Bye

Registration complete, training complete, water and ice ready, we have a game! Early prays followed by breakfast then on the bus for the long drive to the new impressive Dubai 7s Stadium for our first pool game against Spartak MG. Knowing the Russian Players would be up for the battle, especially as they are one of the top teams in the Moscow Region, we knew that this would be a hard contest with the opposition being up for the challenge.

Totally focused from the KO the Reds applied pressure with dominating runs by the forwards with a pop pass to Apo Satala to see him cross the line in 44 sec which was converted by Jack Prasad giving a lead of 7-0 within the first minute. Jack Prasad started to work his normal magic dancing through the opposition to score in the second minute and converting his own try to give the reds a lead of 14-0. Not wanting to be outdone, Zac Vakasawaqa in his favourite scrum half position made a darting run up the middle ot the field to score in the third minute with a conversion from Jack to see the Reds 21-0. Due to the heat of the sun (it was only 1100hrs and topping 29 degrees) the team reduced the intensity to reserve energy which saw the Russians running in a try in the sixth minute to give the score at 21-5 at the break.

The coach of Spartak MG must have had some strong words in the break as they came out with all cylinders firing to catch us napping to run in two tries and a conversion to see them within one score in the tenth minute 21-17. With a calm head and clear directions from our coach Alfred Vakacokovanua the team responded to see two tries and conversions being scored by Will Nurrahn in the last quarter of the game to see the Reds winning 38-17. This wasn’t an easy game as credit must be given to Spartak MG who applied pressure and a must to watch out for in the future.

Our next pool game was with the Homeboys Rugby FC which is one of the Kenyan teams which boosted some of the Kenyan National 7s players. As in Middlesex the Reds knew the basic game plan to win and came out of the blocks in the middle of the day with 30+ degrees in the middle of the desert to apply pressure to see Rokoduguni running tries in the first and third minute and converting both to give the Reds a lead at the break 14-0.

With a mirror of the first pool game the Kenyan coach must have worked his magic and saw them running in a try in the first minute and successfully converted to give a score 14-7. Receiving the restart the Reds remained patient using the width of the pitch until a break from Ben Seru saw him running down the wing to score a fine try which was converted by Roko 21-7. This ignited the Homeboys to applie immediate pressure to see the winger make a fine run to score in the left corner of the pitch giving the score 21-12. Thinking was this going to be another repeat of the first game, the Reds opened it up to see tries being scored in the fourth (Ledua Jope) and fifth minute (Joe Kava) and successfully converted by Roko saw the final score 33-12 to the Reds. This was a creditable score as this was like the Spartak game, this team boosted the Kenyan National Squad players who were a class outfit.

With the third pool game being cancelled due to the team pulling out, we watch Fiji and England play in the iRB World Series before retiring to the hotel and recover from the day. With no medical concerns which must be credited to our guru Charlie Chacksfield, the advice was sleep/recovery and water.

Thu – 2 Dec 10

Up nice and early Thursday morning (not because we wasn’t tired, more like it was the body clock not adjusted yet!) to prayers and breakfast in preparation to training at Dubai Collage to finish of tactics and team runs before heading out the the competition arena to complete administration prior. Charlie our physio was busy this morning in his make up medical suite (his room) having the team checked over and massaged before training which did show an interest from the hotel staff as to what activities were going in there establishment.

Wed 1 Dec 10

We arrived in Dubai early on Wednesday morning to the warmth of the sun but feeling totally knackered due to the delays encountered. So it was book in to the hotel, sleep and then prepare for training at Dubai College in the afternoon. It was going to be a light session said the coach Alfred, however light it wasn’t! With everyone wanting to impress and be selected all the players worked hard to deliver on the training park but also to remove the cobwebs from the journey. With newcomers to the team understanding the new language and tactics, training went extremely well and some fine running lines showing great attack along with exceptional defence. With a nod of the head and a smile from Alfred confirmed he was happy with the training and deserved a rest. Training completed the team had an evening meal under the watchful eye of Bull the Fitness and Conditioning Coach before retiring after the trip and hard days training session.

Tue – 30 Nov 10

Dubai 7s logoThe team (minus the pathfinders from Scotland!) meet up on Tuesday the 30 November 2010 at Clayton Bks in preparation for Dubai International 7s Tournament. Once the administrative checks was complete we jumped on the minibus and headed to Heathrow. With concerns mounting with the snow and the issues earlier the year with flights being canceled plus sitting in the plane for an hour getting de-iced, it was great relief to feel the plane hurtle down the runway released from the grasps of the snow and ice of England’s winter.

See more at: www.dubairugby7s.com/

Picture Gallery