With the UAE rugby scene rapidly growing in popularity, Sport360° decided that it was time to learn a bit more about the players lighting up the Gulf Top Six this season.
This week's player profile features Dubai Exiles prop Liam Andrews who tells Sport360° exactly why he loves the game.
Height: 6ft
Weight: 110kg.
Age: 27
Position: Prop.
Born: Cape Town (South Africa)
Time in UAE: 5 months.
Favourite childhood memory of rugby: It would have to be the 1995 World Cup.
Favourite player growing up: Chester Williams, to see him play in the World Cup was really inspirational.
Rugby team you support: The Stormers.
Best international player now, and why? Jean de Villiers. Just for the way he captains South Africa, his composure and the way he carries himself.
Rules you would change: I wish we could go back to the old way of scrummaging, with ‘engage’.
Best game you ever saw: I watched the Reds play at the Stormers last year which was probably the best game I’ve been to.
Toughest opponent in UAE rugby: I would have to say the Harlequins, the team, the way they play I thought it was very tough to play against them.
Funniest moment in your career: I had a team-mate once who picked the ball up off a ruck and dove for the try line but he was five metres short.
Your greatest achievement in any sport: Playing in the USA club rugby national championship for St Louis Royals.
If you could be a pro in any sport, what would it be and why? It would have to be rugby. I love the fact you can’t be selfish in the game, you have to play as a team and you can’t win it alone. I think it is the epitome of team sport.
Favourite meal: I’m a prop, you put any type of food in front of me and I’ll eat it.
Favourite place in the UAE: Dubai.
