Left to Right: Hannes Kruger, Matt Mills, Marcus Kruger, Alfie Wilson
Five players from the Dubai Exiles 2021-22 Premiership squad have been chosen by UAE National Coach, Apollo Perelini, to head to Phuket in Thailand with the UAE Sevens squad in April. The selection includes one of the Exiles more experienced Internationals Matt Mills along with three ‘newbies’ to the UAE 7s squad are three of the 18 year old schoolboys that have been playing for the Exiles and more than holding their own in the highest level of rugby in the United Arab Emirates, the UAE Premiership – Marcus Kruger, Hannes Kruger and Alfie Wilson.
Matt Mills
Matt Mills has been a member the Dubai Exiles Premiership squad for a number of season and has won The Emirates Dubai 7s with the club on two occasions, in 2017 and the more recent tournament in December 2021. Englishman Matt played for ‘Old Northamptonians‘ in the UK before life as a PE Teacher brought him to Dubai and Dubai English Speaking College.
Marcus Kruger
DESC schoolboy, Marcus Kruger, burst onto the UAE Premiership rugby scene during the 10 man format of the game in the Covid hit 2020-21 season. Marcus featured in all of the Exiles’ Premiership matches this season and scored 23 points in the UAE Premiership Final at The Sevens Stadium earlier in the month. Marcus was an important member of the DESC team that won the Emirates Dubai 7s Gulf Under 19s tournament in December.
Hannes Kruger
Hanne Kruger, the twin brother of Marcus Kruger, is another 18 year old who has lit up the UAE Premiership this season with the Dubai Exiles. The South African youngster possesses a devastating sidestep and an uncanny ability to find space in the most formidable of defences. Hannes is another one of the ten Dubai Exiles that helped DESC to The Emirates Dubai 7s Gulf Under 19 Boys title in December.
Alfie Wilson
Alfie Wilson is the third of the Exiles‘ teenage trio to be selected to travel to Thailand with the UAE 7s squad in April. The young Englishman is another member of the DESC squad that won The Emirates Dubai 7s Gulf Under 19 Boys title. An incredible try against Abu Dhabi Saracens in UAE Division 1 elevated Alfie to the Exiles’ Premiership squad where he applied himself superbly and earned his call up to the UAE 7s squad.
UAE National Coach Apollo Perelini
