The new hybrid form of rugby brought in to allow the region’s players to return to the sport during Covid times has been labelled a success.
The official 2020-2021 Arabian Gulf rugby season was cancelled because of the pandemic – at least in the recognised format of competition.
However, teams were granted the chance to play some rugby from February onwards via a modified version of the game that minimised contact between players.
The new variety of the game, created by UAE coach and former dual code international Apollo Perelini, was 10-a-side, with matches lasting for three segments of 15 minutes, and involved some amendments borrowed from rugby league.
Dubai’s competition concluded last month, with Dubai Exiles the winners after a set of friendly fixtures involving Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Tigers, and Dubai Hurricanes.
According to Matt Richards, the Dragons player coach, the hybrid format brought in to counter the effect of Covid on the sport was a great success.
“We were adhering to the [Covid-safety] rules because there were no scrums, not so many players on the pitch, and short line outs,” Richards said.
