Rugby is back on Saturday June 17, with the China National Rugby 10s Grand Finals out at Jiangwan Stadium from 9am. The family-friendly event is free entry, and everyone can watch men’s, women’s and kids’ tournaments while enjoying some food, drink and, of course, ice cream.
As tradition dictates, in the evening there will be the Heineken Gala Dinner; a chance to raise money for a worthy cause, get a bit merry and listen to some good tales from a few veterans of the game.
The keynote speakers this year will be former All Black Andrew Mehrtens and British and Irish Lion Tom Smith, while former Springboks Bob Skinstad and John Allan - who represented both South Africa and Scotland - return from last year.
We caught up with Smith for some quick-fire questions ahead of the big night...
Best player you played with?
Matt Lord, an old school Kiwi lock, didn’t get much credit but always topped the stats and never played badly. A good honest pro who set an example to his teammates.
And best team played in?
London Welsh under 9s (Welsh U9s finalists).
Most unusual situation you found yourself in on tour?
On my first Scotland tour in the hotel with a handful of Vaseline in my ear.
Most satisfying victory?
Second Test Lions 1997. An unlikely win - South Africa dominated possession and could have won the game ten times over, but thanks to Neil Jenkins we hung in there and kept the scoreboard ticking over and got the win.
Most painful defeat?
Second Test Lions 2001. An opportunity missed - we dominated the first half and butchered a few scoring chance that came back to haunt us.
Toughest opponent?
Can I give you two? Julian White – a strong scrummager in a powerful team. And Jonny Wilkinson – controlled the game, field position and was always hard to beat.
Career high point?
Winning the last 5 Nations title with Scotland.
And low point?
Losing two successive cup finals with Northampton.
Best player in the world?
Kieran Read.
If you could play in any historical match, what would it be?
Brive v Leicester Heineken Cup final 1997.
Will you be having a run out while you are over here?
If you have some boots and a good physio.
It is all going down at the Pudong Shangri-La Grand Ballroom on Saturday, June 17 from 6.45pm, with tickets RMB1,200 each or RMB10,000 for a table of ten.
That includes a top notch three-course meal and free-flow Heineken and
soft drinks, with proceeds going towards the Chinese National Youth Team
Tour to New Zealand.
To purchase tickets click here.
For a venue listing, click here.
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