Czerpak beats allergy to help Quins’ cause

May 07. 2009

Czerpak beats allergy to help Quins’ cause

DUBAI // Abu Dhabi’s likely Premiership coronation today will be aided by a former England colt who has overcome an allergy to grass to play a key role in their campaign.

Jo Czerpak, who has played international rugby as a fly-half for the Arabian Gulf, was a key member of the Quins side who won the Gulf Cup last season.

However, he has missed much of the current season after the symptoms of his allergy, combined with asthma which he also suffers from, worsened.

“I have been asthmatic for years and the grass allergy accentuates the symptoms, and leaves me short of breath,” said Czerpak.

“I have had to deal with it, and I have finally found the right medication, and it is all good now. Since I have sorted it out I have been able to train and play properly, and it has felt OK for the past couple of weeks.”

Czerpak will start at full-back for Quins today, the position from which he earned the man-of-the-match award as the champions elect sealed a priceless win in Bahrain last Friday.

“We had a good win in Bahrain” he added. “I still think there is a bit left to come from this team.

“We have a big squad which has been tested this season, but we are playing quite well at the moment.

“Going away to Bahrain last week having lost to them in the cup was the real acid test, and we performed well. Everyone is switched on to how we want to play and what we are trying to do.”

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