By Athena Rees
On May 2, the Shanghai Rugby Football Club will host the 2015 Land Rover Corporate Sevens, an epic rugby extravaganza overflowing with matches, competitions, promotions, a gala dinner and a live broadcast of the European Cup Final. Ex-internationals David Campese and John Allan will feature at the gala, and we caught up with Wallaby legend Campese for a Q&A as Shanghai gets ready to host this year's tournament.
You have consistently returned to sevens rugby - even coming out of international retirement briefly in 1998 for the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia - and have been heavily involved with tournaments like these, perhaps even more than with the standard 15 aside rugby. Why is that?
Sevens rugby provides the opportunity to show your talents one on one, whereas in 15 aside the ball doesn't reach the wingers a lot anymore. Sevens is a more entertaining game, and with it being introduced in the Olympics, there is a bright future ahead for the game.
Do you think there's a certain attraction to sevens rugby that people can't or aren't currently seeing with the 15 aside game?
Open spaces, ball in hand, less kicking. More action and excitement for fans.
The 15 aside game has been criticized as being a lot slower than the fast paced sevens - I know you are consistently critical of England, in particular, for playing a very slow game. Do you still agree with this view now? Especially in light of their recent six nations' performance?
The game has changed and I would love it to be played the way we used to do. Coaches have too much control and don't allow the players to think. We play to entertain - when I speak to the public, they all agree with me that the game has become boring.
Not sure what you are referring too regarding England's recent performances? One good game in the last 20 years doesn't make you a good team. Ha ha! Consistency is the key. Look at the All Blacks. They score 3 or 4 tries every game. That's the difference between the best and the rest.
Do you think that sevens being hosted in Asia is important for the development of the game here? Is there a certain aspect of the game that is more suited to the players/the culture/the fans here?
Yes, I think it is fantastic! It gives the Asian teams an opportunity to be seen on the world stage week in and week out. Not like in my day when there was only the HK 7s (Hong Kong Sevens).
Is there not a worry that the advancement of sevens rugby in Asia will hinder the quality of their 15 aside development? Especially given the upcoming World Cup, in which China is yet to make their debut?
Not at all. They are two very different games. The modern game is about knowledge and size, whereas sevens is about flair, speed and skill. Like in cricket with the 20/20 and test matches. It works well for the sport. Being an Olympic sport, it gives the teams and players an opportunity to have a real chance to achieve and play against the best in the world and learn from these teams - All Blacks, South Africa, England, Australia.
Would you say the divide between the Southern and Northern hemispheres has got greater or lesser than when you were playing?
I feel the gap has grown. The way I measure that is through the results of the Rugby World Cup - six to the Southern hemisphere and one to the Northern. Lack of funds are a major factor in this, as well as players chasing the dollar and not staying to play for their country.
Are you worried that rugby is losing its grassroots organizations to corporate glamor and this will only help the already established, big nations?
Yes I think this is a very real scenario, and the future for certain countries.
What do you think can be done to develop the game in China?
They need skilled and experienced coaches and the game needs to be introduced at the school level.
What is one thing you would gladly eliminate from the game or think needs to be reinvigorated?
Get rid of refs! Ha ha! Get rid of the TMO (television match officials) and I would reintroduce rucking. Also, if you do kick the ball and the opposition catch on the full, the ball must go back to where it was kicked. This will reduce kicking in the game which makes it boring.
Were you willing on England to get the six points they needed against France during the six nations?
Who cares? They lost. The game is about winning or losing and they lost (are you English by any chance?).
Could be. Who's your best bet on winning the World Cup this year?
Final: France vs Australia and France to win.
Is Australia in with a chance or is there too much dissent in their camp?
What dissent?! You be getting mixed up with England! Ha ha! They are on the right track and have huge potential, so I look forward to their performance.
Do you think there will be any obvious progression from the smaller teams during the World Cup?
We always hope so, but unfortunately it never seems to change. The main teams have such a huge advantage over the smaller teams with larger funding, generations of experienced coaches and players and established infrastructure. However, it would be great to see a team like Italy or Argentina make an impact.
Watch David Campese, along with John Allan, speak at the Shanghai Rugby Football Club 2015 Land Rover Corporate 7s gala dinner on May 2.
// For more information, and to buy tickets, contact Laxton Events: Pippa Laxton (pippa@laxtonevents.com) or Andrew Brown (andrew@laxtonevents.com). Tournament is free to watch from 9am-6pm at Shanghai Rugby Football Club. Dinner tickets: RMB1,000/person or RMB9,000/table of ten. Dinner from 7pm-midnight at Intercontinental Shanghai Puxi.
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