Barrelhouse RFC’s Matt Rubin Has A Choosday Chat

Who or what inspired you to play rugby?

My dad! He took me all around the UK for mini/junior, colts and county and then divisional rugby every week for over 12 years.

Do you have any nicknames?

Most of the lads call me “Rubberman” because I developed a trademark bosh with people bouncing off me, which has since been shortened to just “Rubber”.

Whats been your proudest moment playing rugby in the Middle East?

I haven’t played that much rugby here (3 joint recons on top of 3 previous ones) but personally this season playing 15s in the UAE Community League for the first time in 10 years and beating two very good Dragons and Harlequins teams in the league and playoffs and feeling like I can still contribute to the team. From a club perspective seeing the Warriors team I nurtured for 8 years finally win Dubai 7s in 2017 after 2 previous final losses.

Who does the cooking at home?

That would be either Deliveroo or my housekeeper!

Do you have any hidden talents?

I don’t have many, but I know my electronic music pretty well and I have 100 x DJ mixes in iTunes (Rubber Stamped).

What was the last takeaway you ordered?

I last ordered a Taqado Steak Burrito.

What would be your Mastermind specialist subject?

Definitely 90’s rave tunes.

What’s the daftest thing you’ve ever bought that just collected dust?

I once bought a music production keyboard in 2009 when I started playing sport again. That was 2500AED down the drain!

Who’s the best dancer in the Barrelhouse squad?

Hempies, there’s no doubt! He’s a light footed winger on the pitch and a complete groover on the dance floor. You will only find me moving on the other side of the decks.

If you could be one of your team-mates, who would it be and why?

Sorry Pasha/Iceman it has to be PJ, he’s a 20+ tackles / 20+ carries a match kind of guy. He’s a beast with a rugby brain and can do it on and off the pitch and he’s a great tourist too.

Who would be your three dream dinner guests?

I’d love to have a sit down with Jason Leonard, Mickey Skinner and Bakkies Botha, but it would need to be a long lunch.

Who has the worst Dress sense in the squad?

Probably me although I have to say the Red Mist/Gus were seen sporting a terrible green number on our rugby tour.

Which team-mate would you most definitely not like to be stranded in the desert with?

Ha, that would have to be Steve Phoenix. While he would be incredible company during the day with his wonderful jokes and karaoke ballads, he’d no doubt be “lights out” by 8pm after a few too many Coconut Arracks.

How’s life in Dubai?

Well my beautiful now wife Sandy and I came here in 2008 as a couple, but we are blessed to have the delightful Sammy and Grace with number 3, a little sister on the way. The future of Barrelhouse is pink!