Brian Geraghty steps into breach to help Abu Dhabi Harlequins turn away Xodus Wasps

Defending Nissan Rugby League Cup champions Abu Dhabi Harlequins unearthed a new gem from the most unlikely source in their 24-12 win over Xodus Wasps.

Abu Dhabi Harlequins, white, were missing Iziq Foa’i but were still able to turn away Xodus Wasps Dubai, yellow, during their Nissan Rugby League Cup match at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi on April 2Show more

ABU DHABI // If Abu Dhabi Harlequins had any worries about how they were going to cover the loss of their brightest prospect, they need not have worried.

Iziq Foa’i, the outstanding teenage talent in UAE rugby, is in England at present, hunting a professional contract in league.

In his absence, the defending Nissan Rugby League Cup champions unearthed a new gem from the most unlikely source, in their 24-12 win over Xodus Wasps.

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Brian Geraghty, who arrived in the capital in January, had two training sessions with his new club, in a format of the game he had never played before.

So new is he to the Quins set-up, some of his teammates spent the game erroneously calling him Ryan instead of Brian. Yet, given his debut on the Quins left wing, he was comfortably the star performer in a fixture between the two leading sides in the country, and despite the fact that there were two former-Super League professionals on the field as well.

“He had two training sessions, had never played league before and had never even touched a rugby league ball before,” Quins coach Tony Scott said.

“We thought he had some potential, we would throw him on the wing to see how he goes, and he has come up with a blinder.

“He is athletic so we thought we would try him on the wing, and he was sensational, not just carrying the ball but in defence, too.”

The victory belied the fact Wasps controlled territory for much of the game.

Scott said it was testament to the threat the away side posed that the holders were forced to keep both Bolger brothers on the field for the majority of the game.

Sam, who is nursing a knee injury, and Ben, who is recovering from a wrist complaint, were only due to play 20 minutes.

But the experience each has gleaned from the professional game was much needed for the home side to close out victory.

“We toughed it out,” Scott said. “I thought we were good but we know we can be better. Wasps were very tough.”

James Agus, the Wasps coach, said his side remain confident of reaching the final, with one match left against Dubai Sharks, who were thrashed 100-6 by Al Ain Amblers in the afternoon’s other fixture.

“I was very proud of the lads after last week,” Agus said.

“Our attack was good last week but our defence wasn’t, and it was massively improved this week against a good side.”

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