DUBAI // The fact there are four Emiratis in the national squad for next week’s Asian Championships suggests the Rugby Federation’s targeted development programme is starting to bear fruit, but there is evidence to suggest the pre-established production line for talent in the country is still thriving, too.
The UAE’s outstanding player in their warm-up fixture against a London touring side on Friday was born in Dubai, learnt his rugby here, and only lived abroad briefly for university before returning.
Justin Walsh, a strapping inside-centre from Dubai Exiles, is unquestionably a product of the UAE. He is proud to have been selected to debut for the country he calls home.
“This is the highest level I can get to,” said Walsh, 23, who has an English father, a Dutch mother and a British passport.
“Being born in Dubai, this is my home. I have spent my whole life here. I don’t have a home overseas. Everything comes back to Dubai, so I am happy to represent the country.
“It has been a whirlwind. I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to play, but I have a UAE birth certificate which qualifies me.
“They announced the official squad via email, and I was chuffed. My family is proud, they have always been by the side of the pitch during age-group rugby, so to reach a peak like this is good.”
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The majority of homebred international rugby players to date have been products of the prolific assembly line that is Dubai College.
Walsh, though, first learnt rugby at age 4 at the old Exiles ground in Al Awir, and he still plays for the same club 19 years later.
His senior schooling was at Jumeirah College and Wellington International (WIS). As such, he is the first WIS alumnus to play senior representative rugby.
Greg Campbell, who has overseen rugby at the school since it was inaugurated in 2005, recalls a “conscientious, well-mannered and polite” pupil of rich rugby talent.
“Justin always had the skill and physical attributes to be a quality player,” said Campbell, who played for Middle East Touch at the World Cup for rugby’s non-contact version last weekend.
“But at school he never really had the confidence to push himself to the next level as so many Dubai kids do.
“Clearly, both of these things have improved. I imagine it’s his personal training and the coaching-playing environment that he’s in that has given him the confidence to really have a go.”
Walsh helps out coaching at the Dubai-based skills academy of Apollo Perelini, the UAE forwards coach for this campaign.
Perelini, who played at the 1991 World Cup with Western Samoa and enjoyed a lengthy career in both rugby codes, says his protégé could be a key player for the national team in Malaysia.
“Justin is a good teacher, and I think coaching kids has helped him understand some of the things he needs to learn for his own game,” he said.
“On the field he has presence, size and speed, which brings another dimension to our team. We need him to get us up the pitch.”
[ pradley@thenational.ae ]
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