UAE rugby performance manager Apollo Perelini has high expectations for his squad ahead of the Test series in Uzbekistan next month.
The former dual code Samoa international is into his second week of training with the squad ahead of the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) series and has praised his players’ commitment.
The 46-year-old has been focusing on skill levels in his initial sessions and is adamant all players need to be on par with one another.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a front rower, second rower, a winger or fly-half, you all have the same responsibility. You all want to have the same skill level across the park,” said Perelini.
“My philosophy is when you’re on the field, you’re all rugby players. Irrespective of where you play you all have to have the same skill-sets. Just because you’re a front-rower it doesn’t mean you’re just a scrummager. You’re not just playing at the breakdown. I want them to be a ball player, I want my forwards to be just as skillful as any back.”
Perelini’s UAE will warm up for ARC Division II games against Singapore, Guam and Uzbekistan in May with a friendly against a UAE Premiership Barbarians team, coached by Dubai Exiles’ Jacques Benade, at the end of this month.
With early focus on skills, Perelini insists the pieces will all form together to make a complete picture in time for the ARC.
“At the moment we haven’t run any team plays, no positional specifics, I’ve just trained them as rugby players,” added Perelini.
“It’s little things for now but once we start putting it into our team structure it will start looking clearer and the puzzle will start to come together. It’s been good and the guys have been giving it 100 per cent, I can’t ask for more. They’re a very committed group of boys and there’s good numbers coming down to train. It’s been fun.”