Who are you and what is your role: Sam Jones / Sales Executive 

Your trip: Dubai 7s

What was your favourite part of Dubai?

This was my first time travelling to Dubai, so I was extremely excited to see what the city had to offer after hearing all about colleagues and friends previous travels and experiences. 

It probably goes without saying but Dubai offers a vast range of luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and many tourist attractions including a lively nightlife scene and the world’s tallest lone standing building. 

A highlight for me has to be the fountain display at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, the shows run every 30 minutes from 6pm and each show is different. With music playing out loud and the backdrop of the Burj and other buildings lit up behind the 500-foot-tall fountains, you almost forget you’re in Dubai. As well as this, I would recommend going up the Observatory building, it offers views of the Burj Khalifa, Oldtown Dubai and the fountains, once at the top you also have the opportunity to ride the glass side down the side of the building or take a skywalk around the tower!

What was your favourite part of the trip?

My favourite part of the trip was in fact the Dubai 7s event, the atmosphere across the weekend and the rugby on display (with exception of the GB Men’s team) was electric from start to finish. The event runs across two days where the group games are played for both the Men’s and Women’s matches on the Saturday and then the Knockouts and Finals played on the Sunday. Throughout the weekend you also have the chance to watch the invitational games across 8 pitches as well as cricket, padel and even an athletics competition which also takes place over both days. Live music and concerts are held throughout the day and evenings with headline acts such as the Sugababes and Stormzy. There were also a lot of questionable fancy dress costumes across the weekend, however, a few of our clients were actually interviewed by the local radio station dressed as the ‘3 Muskebeers’ which topped of their trip.

How was the tournament?

The weekend seemed to be over before it started, the two days flew past in a blink, with so many games held across the Saturday and Sunday for both the international Men’s and Women’s.

Team GB Men got off to a great start after narrowly beating rivals Ireland 22-17, which quickly followed by a heavy defeat to Argentina, before ending the group games with a 31-10 win over Uruguay. 

One of the favourites and most backed teams; South Africa, opened their 7s weekend with a massive 17-0 win over Australia before a shock defeat to Kenya and underdogs Spain also beating New Zealand in a thrilling game 26-14.

Team GB Women’s opened their account in the 2nd game against France thanks to a last minute try which then soon followed in another victory over Spain meaning they would progress into the knockout stages on Sunday. 

Tournament favourites New Zealand had a clean sweep in pool C winning all 3 games and looked odds on with their dominance in the opening 3 games, however, Australia Women’s matched them winning 3 from 3 with ease in the pool stages.

Sunday soon rolled around, knockout day, the atmosphere was building throughout the day as teams took the pitch in the main stadium on pitch 1.

GB Men were first up, once again it was underdogs Spain with the upset beating GB 19-14 who then also went onto lose their 7th place final match against Australia (Team GB).

The other huge clash was NZ vs South Africa, a close encounter ending 24-17 to NZ and this game really had the crown going, with a Mexican wave making its way around the stadium.

Fiji men’s team were suddenly making their mark and had snuck into the Semi Finals almost unnoticed, beating France 19-17 and then knocking Argentina out in the Semi Finals. The biggest upset was yet to come, as again, Spain beat New Zealand in the other Semi Final late on!

Fiji eventually came out champions and a huge roar echoed around the stadium marking the end of the 7s event, a fantastic weekend all round.

As for the Women’s, Team GB knocked out Japan in their Quarter Final game in a convincing 26-0 win but then went onto lose the semi-final to eventual winners Australia, the consolation prize was a win in the 3rd place play-off final.

As expected, New Zealand were also joining the Aussies in the final but ended up losing a tight battle 28-24, fireworks erupted as both the Men’s and Women’s team lifted the trophies capping of a wonderful weekend.

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What would you recommend doing in Dubai?

Dubai has loads to offer, whether you want to relax down the various public beaches, book a beach club for the day, visit the Burj Khalifa, or take a half-day safari out into the desert where you can ride quad bikes and camels and sand surf down the dunes, there is something for everyone.

The old town in Dubai is also another completely free activity, strolling around the many Gold and Spice souks and seeing the ‘other side’ to Dubai is really eye-opening, whilst this way you can also take a small boat across the creek.

With the ease of the metro and public transport, you can get around fairly quickly with all major stops on route, including the many shopping malls for those that want to get their Christmas shopping done!

Dubai and the 7s was thoroughly enjoyable and is a trip I would highly recommend to everyone, who doesn’t want to escape the cold weather for some warm winter sun and great rugby action!