Jacques Benade calls for final push from Dubai Exiles against Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Undefeated in XVs rugby in nearly three years. This season’s Dubai Sevens trophy already on the mantelpiece. And now 80 minutes away from defending the UAE Premiership title they have held since the first wave of Covid.

Dubai Exiles might be excused for already feeling satisfied with themselves ahead of Saturday’s final, on home territory at The Sevens against Abu Dhabi Harlequins.

Far from it, according to coach Jacques Benade, who says that sort of thinking will be punished given the excellence of their opposition.

“Sometimes you can be a little bit complacent – but against Abu Dhabi, you can never be complacent,” Benade said.

“They are an outstanding team, and they showed [in their semi-final playoff against Dubai] Tigers how good they can be.

“It is going to be an outstanding game. I think both teams want to throw the ball around, so for the UAE rugby community to come out and watch, I think it is going to be a magic occasion.”

The last time Exiles experienced defeat to a UAE side was against Harlequins in February 2019. They subsequently lost out on the main prize at the end of that season after a nail-biting finale in Bahrain.

The following season, they won the Premiership, but had to celebrate remotely after the season was curtailed by the onset of the pandemic.

UAE Premiership semi-final play-off between Abu Dhabi Harlequins (in white) and Dubai Tigers at Zayed Sports City on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Antonie Robertson / The National

Benade said their sustained run of success has been so impressive, they have resembled the Harlequins side who led the way in regional rugby midway through the last decade.

“We look like Harlequins five or six years ago,” Benade said. “They had a steady team that was hard to get in,