With the UAE rugby scene rapidly growing in popularity, Sport360° decided that it was time to learn a bit more about the players lighting up the Gulf Top Six this season.
This week we spoke to Abu Dhabi Saracens number 8 and former UAE captain Ali Thompson about his favourite childhood memories of rugby and his toughest opponent in the UAE.
Ali Thompson
Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 100kg
Age: 35
Position: No8
Born: Hawick (Scotland)
Years in UAE: Six
Honours: Arabian Gulf Cup (twice), Gulf Top Six, Gulf Championship; UAE: Eight caps, three tries
Favourite childhood memory of rugby: When Scotland won the Grand Slam in 1990. I was in the schoolboy enclosure.
Favourite player growing up: David Campese
Rugby team you support: Glasgow Warriors
Best international player now, and why? In terms of my position in the back-row, I love what Richie McCaw stands for and I enjoy watching sides that he plays in.
Rule you would change: I think if you could put rucking back in the game, but in a controlled manner, it would mean less players would stay in an offside position and ball would be cleaner.
What was the best game you ever saw? I’ve been quite fortunate and was present in 2000 when the All Blacks went to Stadium Australia and won 39-35 in front of a world record crowd of 109,000. I was also at the second and third Tests of the Lions tour last summer.
Toughest opponent in UAE rugby: Murray Strang
Your greatest achievement in any sport: Captaining the UAE against Japan.
Funniest moment of your career: Watching team-mates miss flights home.
If you could be a pro in any sport, what would it be and why? It would have been nice to have a shot at professional rugby. That’s been the sport I’ve always played.
Favourite meal: Pizza, although I’m not supposed to eat it.
Favourite place in the UAE: I enjoy going up to Fujairah.