Abu Dhabi Harlequins will try to continue the defence of their Nissan Rugby League Cup on Friday against their closest challengers, Xodus Wasps, without the services of their standout prospect.
Iziq Foa’i, the Abu Dhabi-raised New Zealander, landed in the UK on Thursday ahead of a two-week trial with Warrington Wolves, the Super League club.
The teenager has long been regarded as the most promising young player across both rugby codes in this country.
He earned a chance to train with Warrington, who finished fifth in the Super League last year, after a recommendation to the English club by his Abu Dhabi teammate, Ben Bolger.
Bolger was a Super League professional before moving to the UAE to take up a job in the financial sector, and he has maintained his contact with the game there.
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He gave Foa’i, 19, a glowing endorsement to Warrington’s coaches. Bolger himself had played 18 Super League matches by the time he was Foa’i’s age, and he thinks the prop is capable of a professional career, so long as he takes his chance now.
“I’m trying to get it out of his head that he is still a kid, because everyone keeps saying that to him,” said Bolger, who is struggling to be fit to face Wasps due to a wrist injury.
“There are so many people playing Super League, NRL or for their country aged 17, so he should not get caught up in the fact he is still young.
“In rugby terms in the UK, at 19 years old, if you are not knocking on the first-team door, you are going to be playing in the leagues below the Premiership.”
Bolger says the 1.9-metre-tall Foa’i, who plays at inside-centre in union, has more to his game than just raw power.
“There are not too many 19-year-old, 120kg blokes who can pass off either hand like he does, and carry the ball in either hand like it is a tennis ball,” Bolger said.
“That was the biggest selling point, the fact he can back up his physical side with great skills and the technical side.”
Foa’i scored one try in the comprehensive 70-14 win on the opening day of the domestic season against Dubai Sharks last weekend.
The success marked the holders out as the team to beat again, but they are likely to face the toughest test of the four-week season when they play against Xodus Wasps at Zayed Sports City tomorrow.
Wasps also took maximum points from the first round at Dubai Sports City, as they tempered the threat of Al Ain Amblers in a 48-34 victory.
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