The Al Ain Amblers have a new head coach in South African expat – Wihan Grobler. The fitness instructor from Cape Town is very excited about the 2018-2019 season.

“At Al Ain Amblers, it’s not just a game, we’re brothers coming together to prepare”.

Grobler has been involved in coaching and physical conditioning for years in his hometown and played an active role for the Amblers in the Conference League last year after moving to the UAE.

“The boys seemed to buy into his plans and our first week of training showed their keenness to learn”

Director of Rugby at the Amblers, Rocco De Bruyn said; “I am very pleased and happy with his vision and positivity for the season ahead. The boys seemed to buy into his plans and our first week of training showed their keenness to learn and apply his plan of action. Supporting Grobler will be Sean Emmett, George Taunga and Jakes Terblanche who will form the rest of the men’s rugby coaching panel at the club.

The Amblers finished in the Bottom 4 of the UAE Conference League last season and went on to win the B5 final against Jebel Ali Dragons, beating them 24 points to 16. It was only at the beginning of the 2017/18 season that they took the decision to withdraw their 1st XV from UAE Premiership rugby, which forced them to regroup and refocus in the Conference league. In a very similar move to that of the Amblers, the Abu Dhabi Saracens were recently forced to withdraw their 1st XV from top flight expat rugby.