Despite the feeling of elation after they triumphed over Dubai Exiles last week, Paul Hart claims Jebel Ali Dragons are some way off the standard everyone at the club feels they can reach.
After a win against Abu Dhabi Harlequins was snatched away in the dying embers of their opening West Asia Premiership game against their fierce rivals a month ago – a late converted try saw Dragons defeated 34-33 – Dragons were on the right side of a tense result last week at The Sevens.
A 22-18 win was earned against hosts Dubai Exiles – although they survived a late try being disallowed for the home side. But veteran prop Hart claims a potential “banana skin” awaits in the form of Dubai Eagles tonight.
“The mood in the camp has been excellent this week,” said Hart.
“There’s been a massive turn out at training this week but we have been very honest and harsh with ourselves. We are nowhere near the standard we know we can be and the expectations our coaches have.
“We are taking the game against Eagles very seriously and know it’s a potential banana skin against a new but fast improving team. We are challenging ourselves to be accurate and produce a professional performance.”
As for the Eagles, they were brought back down to earth following their maiden win as a club – beating Abu Dhabi Saracens 17-11 three weeks ago – in a 28-12 defeat to Dubai Hurricanes last week.
But with another game and another week’s training under their belts, fly-half Sean Carey insists every little thing is helping their development.
“The boys were disappointed with the result (last week) which is a good thing,” said Carey.
“We thought it should have been a bit closer but we let it slip, and I think that comes down to concentration and experience. Those sorts of things will come later on in the season.
“But each week those things are getting better and we’ve been at training this week with the right mentality to go and target Dragons who we know are going to be very strong.”
The Premiership campaign takes a brief hiatus after this weekend and Carey insists Eagles will leave it all out on the field tonight.
“It’s really going to test us and we’re really up for it,” he said.
“We have a bit of a break after this so we’re going to give it everything. We’re growing and will put in a bigger performance again.”