Dubai Tigers marked a significant milestone, commemorating their 10-year anniversary with a triumphant retention of the Gulf Men’s League title at the Sevens, overcoming city rivals Dubai Hurricanes in a compelling showdown.

The Tigers, currently leading the West Asia Premiership table in XVs, displayed their dominance by securing a 28-5 victory on Pitch 1 during Sunday’s clash. This victory not only reaffirms their status as a formidable force in regional rugby but also marks their second consecutive Emirates Dubai Sevens crown.

Despite their relatively recent ascendancy, the star player, Saki Naisau, has become accustomed to success over the years. Originally hailing from Fiji, Naisau moved to Al Ain in 2015, consistently reaching the Gulf Men’s final on eight occasions with various clubs. Having previously secured the title twice with the Hurricanes, he played a pivotal role in the Tigers’ back-to-back triumphs, scoring a remarkable hat-trick against his former team.

Reflecting on the achievement, Naisau expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It feels good to have this success with my brothers. We work together as a team. We are just a band of brothers working together to get the win on Pitch 1, so it was great.”

Charlie Taylor, the Tigers’ captain, himself a former participant in the world series rugby for Australia before joining the UAE, commended Naisau’s exceptional talent. Taylor asserted that Naisau would have undoubtedly been a valuable asset to Fiji’s national team if he had continued to play in his homeland. Despite minimal training, Naisau’s on-field performance is consistently exceptional, making him a standout player in the UAE for the past several years.

Taylor also highlighted the club’s decision not to introduce a special edition orange tiger kit for the tournament, opting to retain their iconic red and white stripes. The team’s commitment to tradition, coupled with their recent silverware, has made the 10-year anniversary celebration a truly remarkable and joyous occasion for the Tigers.

“It has been a great way to celebrate 10 years as the Tigers. We have been to the final three years in a row and won the past two, so we are really happy and appreciate all the boys putting the effort in,” Taylor concluded.