The AGRFU Men’s Sevens program moves on to the next stage of its World Cup preparation when it travels to Kandy next week to contest the Singer International Sevens against many of the Asian region’s top proponents of rugby’s shortened form. By Wayne Mastters AGRFU

The Gulf are now entering the fourth month of what has been a committed training campaign as the squad gears itself for the annual Dubai Sevens in late November and ultimately the Dubai hosted IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens in March 2009.

The squad under experienced coach Mike Lunjevich has been able to far exceed any previous preparation endeavors due to it securing the assistance and major sponsorship of Global Process Systems. GPS is a global provider technology-based ‘design and build’ process facilities solutions for the upstream oil & gas industry.
Lunjevich has selected a team for Kandy, built strongly around the squad members who spend the sweltering summer months in Dubai training thrice weekly as a squad in addition to following individual prescribed programs. Debutants being rewarded for their summer toil are Dubai Hurricane Josh Sherrin and Abu Dhabi’s Jonny MacDonald. Sherrin has impressed with his physical play and improved level of fitness. More regularly a winger in the 15s game the strongly build Sherrin will likely pack down in the forwards for his first taste of international sevens. The other new face having his first start in Gulf colors is backline player Jonny MacDonald; the nineteen year old is a former Bedford Academy player who looks to be an exciting addition to the team. Born and based in Abu Dhabi, MacDonald is very quick and possesses an educated pass, attributes which should see the youngster getting plenty of game time.

The vastly experienced Stephen Cooper leads the team and the Dubai Exiles player is very enthusiastic about his team’s potential. “I’m really looking forward to getting out on the pitch and playing with these guys. We have trained hard over the summer and now we just want to get out there and play”, adding, “We let ourselves down in our last tournament (in Rome) so this is an opportunity to get things right and perform to a higher standard which I’m confident we can.”

Ten countries have confirmed their participation in the three-day tournament: hosts Sri Lanka, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India, Kazakhstan and the Arabian Gulf.

Arabian Gulf Team:
Stephen Cooper (Capt)  Dubai Exiles
Arron Brown  Dubai Hurricanes
Joshua Sherrin  Dubai Hurricanes
Chris Gregory  Dubai Hurricanes
Dave  Clarke  Dubai Exiles
Gerry Considine Dubai Hurricanes
Corey Oliver  Dubai Dragons
Jonny MacDonald NBAD Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Stuart Gibb  Dubai Dragons
Dan Patching  Dubai Exiles

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