Apollo Perelini admits he has slight concerns over the lack of depth among his back division as he looks to select his 25-man squad for the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC).
UAE rugby’s performance manager is expected to announce his touring party on Monday and admitted following his side’s 48-29 friendly defeat to the UAE Premiership Barbarians on Wednesday that the hard work will then begin.
“I don’t have any glaring concerns but I don’t have a lot of back depth,” said the 46-year-old. “I’ve got a lot of forwards but, with my backs, I’m a bit shallow and I’ve got to address that.”
Defeat to a strong Baa Baas side did not worry the New Zealander, particularly as they were made up a large contingent of Premiership and west Asia champions Dubai Exiles.
The former dual-code Samoa star also feels his job will get easier once he selects his final squad as he will be able to work on a game-plan to earn promotion from Division II of the ARC with a firm roster.
“Now the hard work starts,” insists Perelini. “The last two or three weeks we’ve been sussing people out, who fits in. Now I know and have seen all the players playing I can really sit down and assess what I’ve got and put a squad together.
“At the moment it’s hard because I’m trying to find combinations among players, that too from just one game.”
Perelini admitted a few players stood out for him during a frenetic game, in which the Baa Baas only pulled away with three tries inside the final five minutes.
“I think our boys were a bit under pressure. They think they’ve got to impress the coach and the structure went out the window,” he said. “Sometimes there’s a fear. For our boys there’s a lot of pressure to get on this team. When that happens it’s more about looking after yourself.
“I said to them I wasn’t after the result, it’s about the process.”
Instead of a league format like 12 months ago, the four teams in Division II will meet in semi-final encounters on May 18, with the UAE to play hosts Uzbekistan. Thailand will play Guam. The winners will meet in May 21’s final.