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 Mehrtens for some quick-fire questions ahead of the big night...
Best player you played with?
Richie McCaw (below) – he was a great combination of intelligence, resilience, competitiveness, mental and physical toughness, humility, self-sacrifice and single-minded determination.
Best team played in?
The All Blacks of 1995-97 was my best international experience. We played a brand of rugby that was exhilarating and effective. But the Crusaders teams of 1998-2002 had a wonderful combination of fun, hard work and talent. And we loved playing in finals.
Most outrageous player you toured with?
Marc Ellis (below, streaking) with the All Blacks. He was a really fun guy and always keen to do something different. On the day of one game we were stopped in the hotel corridor by our stern coach, who was astounded and disappointed that we were dressed up in local army camouflage gear (given to us by our security guards) doing barrel rolls. He just told us to make sure we played well that day…
Most satisfying victory?
I guess the Crusaders win over the Bulls in Pretoria in 1999. I had to kick a dropgoal on full time to win the match. Without that win we would not have made the semi-finals, and ultimately win the title.
Despite what you dream of, there aren’t too many fairytale wins right at the last minute. So another one was when we scored on fulltime to beat Australia in Brisbane in 1996.
Most painful defeat?
Our loss in the World Cup Final in 1995 to South Africa was heart-wrenching. We had played amazing rugby in the tournament but came up against a more physical team in the final that was desperate, and we didn’t feel we had played our best rugby and the most important moment. And I missed some chances to win the match with dropkicks.
Toughest opponent?
As a team I found the South Africans and French to be very very physical. In our era the Australians were a very intelligent side with world-class players.
Individually, the guys I found most difficult to mark were Stephen Larkham and Carlos Spencer. Both were very fast and had an attacking attitude, so something was always happening around them.
High point of your career?
Making the All Blacks for the first time. I remember being so proud ringing my father, who also played rugby.
And the low point?
Injuries are always tough, along with big defeats. I had six months off rugby at the end of my first season with the All Blacks and had a knee reconstruction. The recovery was arduous and it was hard to watch my team play the first season of Super Rugby.
Best player in the world?
McCaw or Dan Carter. The most complete players, with freakish talent. And also very humble, nice guys.
Will you be having a run out while you are over here?
Absolutely not. I enjoy watching others participate in sport now! My sport is now the original sport of my youth: tennis. But I’m looking forward to my first visit (although brief) to China and to Shanghai.
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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