UAE rugby’s Hassan Al Noobi back in action after rapid recovery

One of the top UAE players is cautiously back on the pitch with his club team but his national team duty will have to wait, writes Paul Radley.

Arabian Knights’ Hassan Al Noobi, right, appeared in the team’s match last Friday less than eight months after knee surgery. Antonie Robertson / The National

DUBAI // One of the leading Emirati rugby players has made a his return to playing, two-and-a-half months ahead of schedule after injury.

Hassan Al Noobi made a brief appearance for Arabian Knights on Friday, seven-and-a-half months after surgery to reconstruct his knee.

The UAE sevens playmaker had been prescribed 10 months off the game after suffering cruciate ligament damage.

His appearance in the second half of the Knights’ UAE Conference win over Jebel Ali Dragons second XV was a cautious one.

He is not going to be risked in the UAE squad for the Beijing Sevens this weekend, and he is still some way from being permitted to play full games.

However, Al Noobi, who played football at youth level for Al Nasr before switching to rugby, was delighted to be back in the fold.

“I have had to be patient and I really want to be back, but I am not going to risk my knee to get back now,” he said. “I want to stay patient to make sure that I am 105 per cent for rugby, not just 100 per cent, so I can get back playing with the guys.

“On Friday the doctor gave me permission to play, so long as I did not twist my knee. I came on in the second half and was so happy to play. We won against the Dragons. First game, first win.”

Al Noobi has been conspicuous by his presence on the sidelines for his club side during his enforced spell away from playing.

Emirati players have often been criticised in the past for lacking staying power in a sport which is still to fully take hold within the indigenous community.

However, Al Noobi was happy to attend Friday’s fixtures and act as a waterboy for his Knights colleagues even if he was unfit to play.

“When I first got injured I stayed at home for two or three months,” he said.

“I wouldn’t go to matches because I couldn’t play and I was leaving my teammates to play by themselves.

“I felt bad about that, so I went to a game and they won.

“They told me they were happy I was coming there, supporting them, bringing them water and not being selfish. They liked that from me and I like being with the team always.”

Roelof Kotze, the UAE performance manager, wants to have a fully fit Al Noobi available for selection when the national team play in the International Invitational competition at December’s Dubai Sevens.

“We are hoping to have him ready for the Sevens,” said Kotze, who will oversee an experimental UAE side’s campaign in the Beijing Sevens this weekend.

“He is only seven-and-a-half months on his rehab, and medical advice says it should be 10.

“Obviously he is very keen to play, but we have to rein him in a little.

“He can be 100 per cent fit, but just step on somebody in a tackle and be back to square one.

“As much as we are desperate for him to play, we have to be cautious.”

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