Abu Dhabi player on trial at Warrington

Correspondent

Warrington have extended their scouting net to the Middle East, with Iziq Foa’i beginning a two-week trial at the club this week.

Foa’i is an Abu Dhabi-raised New Zealander, who has been playing for Abu Dhabi Harlequins in the Nissan Rugby League Cup.

He enjoys a reputation as the finest young rugby player in either code in the United Arab Emirates. He also plays rugby union.

He was recommended to Warrington by former Super League player Ben Bolger, who now works and plays rugby league in the UAE.

“I’m trying to get it out of his head that he is still a kid, because everyone keeps saying that to him,” Bolger told UAE paper The National.

“There are so many people playing Super League, NRL or for their country aged 17, so he should not get caught up in the fact he is still young.

“In rugby terms in the UK, at 19 years old, if you are not knocking on the first-team door, you are going to be playing in the leagues below the Premiership.

“There are not too many 19-year-old, 120kg blokes who can pass off either hand like he does, and carry the ball in either hand like it is a tennis ball.

“That was the biggest selling point, the fact he can back up his physical side with great skills and the technical side.”