Plenty to smile about for Cleopas Makotose and Zimbabwe [AL JAZEERA]

Cleopas Makotose was fresh from a 43-7 mauling at the hands of reigning Dubai Sevens champions New Zealand on Friday, but got nothing but good vibes from the experience.

The 25-year-old centre knows that it is only by facing the best that developing rugby nations can improve.

"We went into the game not looking for a win on the scoreboard, but to win the All Blacks' respect," said Makotose.

"We did that, and it's a learning curve that will make us a better team."

Planting a flag

A similar spirit has seen this tournament take on the challenge of planting a serious rugby cornerflag in the sandy expanses of the Middle East.

The Dubai Sevens, a highlight of the sporting calender for the ex-pat community in the region, has this year moved to an awe-inspiring new stadium in the United Arab Emirates desert.

Fears of an atmosphere-drain have proved unfounded, as fans on Friday revelled in the seamless switch from the cosy old Exiles ground to this 50,000-capacity sports city.

But players like Makotose and All Black coach Gordon Tietjens believe the benefits go much further than plush surroundings for sun-worshipping Western rugby fans.

"If we really promote the sport, there's a lot of talent here in the Middle East," Tietjens told Al Jazeera on Friday.

"You can't expect rugby to reach the level of the top Test nations, but there has been a lot of improvement over the years."

Gulf in class?

The start of the international fixtures saw England beat Portugal 31-7, while an Arabian Gulf side went down 28-7 to Kenya and 33-0 to South Africa – no shame against a nation that are the World Cup holders in the full 15-a-side version of the sport.

But the teams you notice when walking around The Sevens are those from Cairo, from Tehran and from Doha, cities with little rugby heritage but with a hardcore of players just as passionate about their game as their counterparts from London and New South Wales.

South Africa take on Arabian Gulf RFU in the midday heat [AL JAZEERA]

"When I go back to Zimbabwe, everyone is always talking about the Sevens – everyone wants to be on this stage," says Makotose.

"The atmosphere here is beautiful. The stadium is a huge improvement, everything from the changing rooms to the pitch.

"Teams can only get better playing here."

Room at the top

And Makotose, from Chiredzi in Zimbabwe but playing for SK Walmer in South Africa's Western Province, does not share Kiwi coach Tietjens belief that the top teams are untouchable.

Zimbabwe themselves have had their share of World Cup appearances, and the centre thinks improving standards across the board will bear fruit.

Qatar's first participation at the 2006 Asian Games tournament, against sides like Japan and South Korea, could be one of the foundation stones.

"When I come to the Middle East I can see that rugby is growing," he said.

"Smaller teams from smaller countries are coming up and competing.

"In a few more years Zimbabwe will be up at the same level as the big sides, and as rugby grows it will get more exciting as well."

Makotose may be the optimist to Tietjens' realist.

But from the talent on show from Manama to Muscat, the optimism might not be entirely misplaced.

Sevens rugby - a basic guide

With just seven players instead of 15, the format is a faster-paced and more expansive version of Rugby Union.

Most players are backs, who in Rugby Union provide speed and penetration to complement the battering-ram of the forwards.

Whereas scrums - a regulated close-quarters battle for the ball in which forwards push against each other in a pack - are a mainstay of the full code, just three players from each side form a scrum in sevens.

Each match lasts about 15 minutes, instead of the regulation 80.

Ned Haig, a butcher from Melrose, Scotland, invented the format in 1883 as a fundraiser for his local club.