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Ross Mills excited by new recruits at Dubai Hurricanes

Surrounded by the Dubai desert and with his peers falling by the wayside, Ross Mills could be forgiven for thinking he’s a gunslinger in the Wild West.

Dubai Hurricanes struggled last year in the Top 6 competition.
Dubai Hurricanes struggled last year in the Top 6 competition.

Coaches of Abu Dhabi Saracens and Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Exiles and Xodus Wasps all left their posts at the end of the 2014/15 domestic rugby season, the Dubai Hurricanes’ chief remains the last man standing from last term’s six Sport360 UAE Premiership sides.

Wasps will be replaced by UAE Conference champions Al Ain Amblers in the Premiership for the 2015/16 campaign, but even their head coach, Keleto Dyer, has stepped up since Peter Aki quit following the Garden City club’s promotion.

Last season was a chastening one for Mills and Canes.

Things started so brightly, breezing through the first five games of the campaign, winning four to top the Premiership and earn a spot in the final.

However, Mills’ men came up against a resurgent Abu Dhabi Quins, who had shaken off the cobwebs of two opening defeats, reaching the final following three straight wins.

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Jeremy Manning’s men stormed to a 39-19 triumph and Canes’ season sort of fell apart.

The club has stuck by their man though and Mills has stuck to his guns too.

And, with the majority of last season’s squad retained, a clutch of new signings, a raft of players returning from injury, a campaign as head coach under his belt and the experience of last season acting as a spur, Mills says confidence is high.

“We’ve maintained the majority of our squad, which is good, attracted a few new names too, recruiting well in key areas, and we’ll have a few guys back who were injured for large parts of last season, so it’s like getting brand new players,” said Mills.

Canes have attracted new recruits in the front row, second row, fly-half, centre, wing and full-back positions, although Mills was not revealing any names just yet.

Meanwhile, back rower Alan Shaw, second rower Connor McLoughlin, influential No10 Mike Powell, as well as three-quarter players Chris Smith and Chris Coopland have reported back with a clean bill of health for pre-season, which is three weeks old.

“We’ve maintained stability,” said the 48-year-old.

“Nothing much has changed. Daniel Perry will remain as first team captain, Ian Greenhough as club captain. I have that first season under my belt so being here for a second season there’s a degree of normaility.

“Instability rocks the ship so it’s nice to have that stability, where everyone knows where they stand and what the expectations are. We’re stronger and ready to go. The atmosphere at the club is positive. It’s exciting times.”

After their Premiership final defeat, Canes’ demise deepened.

They made the semi-finals of the Gulf Men’s League Trophy competition at December’s Dubai Sevens but were beaten by Doha.

In the Gulf Top Six, meanwhile, their woes worsened, losing seven of their 10 games to finish fourth, 24 points adrift of second-placed Sarries.

Despite the disappointing way in which their campaign unravelled, Canes will again be gunning for glory next season.

“We’re targeting silverware,” said Mills.

“Despite the way we fell off last year, I wasn’t asked to stand down. The players have a good bond on the field, we’re a hard team to beat and the lads enjoy each other’s company off it too.

“We need to build on that and the rest will look after itself. I know my team. We’re happy and in a good place.”


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