Imad Reyal refuses to give up on career in New Zealand ahead of return to UAE rugby

Imad Reyal spent last season in New Zealand but has returned to UAE rugby after his tourist visa expired. Jake Badger for The National

Imad Reyal still hopes he can achieve his dream of playing rugby professionally abroad, despite being forced to return from New Zealand due to visa issues.

The Sri Lankan fullback has returned to Dubai after a season playing in Auckland, having initially travelled there on a scholarship to attend a rugby academy.

He believes he was on the brink of being inducted into the development set up of a leading provincial side, only to be forced to return home when his tourist visa expired last month.

“If I had stayed for another two months, I could have had a crack at ITM development but, given my passport, it was really hard for me to stay back,” Reyal said.

“I was four games away from it, so it was unlucky. The club [Bay of Plenty] tried to help, but the Sri Lankan passport was restrictive.

“When the visa runs out, you have to exit, you can’t renew. For Tongans, Samoans and Fijians, who have a good reputation for rugby and who have been growing up in New Zealand for generations, it is possible.

“Sri Lankans don’t really have a reputation for playing rugby around the world. When it comes to cricket, everyone knows we are really good at it. It is not the same in rugby.”

Arguably the best finisher ever to have played top-flight rugby in the Gulf, Reyal will return to playing in the UAE Premiership with Jebel Ali Dragons.

The former UAE fullback, though, is looking into the possibility of returning to Auckland and studying sports management, while looking for a professional rugby contract.

“I haven’t given up,” said Reyal, whose older brother Shaheer has also played for the UAE sevens team, while younger brother Adil has represented the country in senior international cricket.

“I am thinking of going back and doing my studies for a year or two years so I can study and play as well.

“It is really costly, and I have already paid lots of money to pay for my air fare to go to New Zealand this year. I have to work for a while, then try to apply for next year. That is my best chance, I think.”

Reyal’s return coincides with a raft of changes at management level at the Dragons this summer, as they attempt to reassert themselves as the team to beat in the UAE.

The club enjoyed unprecedented success when they won back-to-back trebles up till 2014, with Reyal prominent in the second season, but they were also-rans last term.

Paul Hart, who was captain when they won the first triple crown in 2013, has taken on an overseeing role with the title of director of rugby. He will continue with playing duties, too.

Bruce Pendrey, 25, has been appointed as the forwards coach and will be in charge of the first XV having recently arrived in Dubai from the UK.

“We have some young, exciting and ambitious coaches which we think is the best approach for the club,” Hart said.

“We want to draw a line under last season. Every club has injuries, that is no excuse. We were dominant in terms of silverware for two seasons, but these things tend to go in waves in competitive sport.

“To retain all three trophies for a third season is unheard of. The level of rugby in the region has continued to rise and we were simply left behind last year.

“We have had some reconstruction as a club this season and we hope to be judged by our results moving forward.”

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