Jaen Botes unconcerned by UAE's 7s failure

Matt Jones - Editor 08:01 05/12/2015
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  • Losing out to Qatar: UAE sevens side.

    Jaen Botes insists UAE rugby is in good hands under new performance manager Apollo Perelini.

    The Abu Dhabi Saracens captain isn’t reading too much into the fact Perelini’s men failed to qualify for the elite Trophy section of the International Open Men’s competition.

    Instead, the South African is content with the direction the national team set-up is moving in and is adamant the good progress made when the UAE gained a coveted spot in Asia’s top eight sevens nations in October will continue.

    “It’s definitely important to maintain the good work and not rest on our laurels,” said Botes following a 28-17 Group A defeat to Qatar last night which relegated the UAE to the Plate section.

    “It’s weird because we know what standard we can play at. We competed against some good teams on the Asia circuit and we’re continuing to do the same thing.

    “What Roelof (Kotze, former UAE performance manager) implemented is good for us and the stuff Apollo brings in is just as good.

    “All we’ve got to do is keep working and keep that standard. The main thing is trying to adapt but all in all it’s good. UAE rugby is definitely in good hands.

    “We leave the management stuff to them and all we have to do is turn up and be ready for what’s put in front of us. We have to set goals as individuals and as a team.

    “We’re sticking to what was implemented. Players come in and out with injuries but I think the hardest bit is adapting to each other, not the structures within UAE rugby.”

    Perelini, who took over from Kotze after he stood down following the UAE’s triumph on this season’s Asia Rugby Sevens Series circuit, said prior to the Dubai Sevens that the tournament would be used to prepare his side for the Chennai 7s in late January.

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