PR Exclusive: Ben Gollings
When thinking of Sevens, names like Waisale Serevi and Mikaele Pesamino pop into your head. But one man has outscored them all…
When thinking of Sevens, names like Waisale Serevi and Mikaele Pesamino pop into your head. But one man has outscored them all, Ben Gollings.
2374 points racked up since it all began back for him in 2000 and he shows no signs of slowing, amassing the biggest tally in the 2010 Series.
He has arguably seen it all on the global stage – whether it be in Commonwealth Games or major venues such as Dubai and Wellington – yet the fast-approaching tournament in Delhi is one of unfinished business after claiming silver in 2006.
“2006 was just an incredible event to be part of really,” he said, speaking in an exclusive interview with Planet Rugby.
“I think the Melbourne Games itself were awesome and then the actual Sevens, with a huge crowd there for the days that we competed, made for a great spectacle.
“Unfortunately we didn't quite get the medal we wanted but it was incredible to come away with a silver at the Commonwealths.”
The squad that competed so admirably in Australia included the likes of wing Tom Varndell and flanks Magnus Lund and David Seymour, who apart from the former have since headed in a more XVs direction. But while Gollings enjoyed mixing it with the class of 2006 four years ago, he believes his current crop are going to be a force to be reckoned with.
“We've not so many big names that the general public will have heard of but they are big names in Sevens,” he continued.
“They have been playing for us for over a year now and if they bring out their best form, they are as good as anybody on their day. I really think there is a good balance in our side.”
If you have missed it, England fly out to India this Saturday amid a mass of reports over nightmare conditions in the athletes' village. But such talk is not fazing Gollings.
“I've had a chat with other athletes and heard what Sir Andrew Foster's had to say and listened to a few bits and pieces,” was his answer to whether he'd been in contact with sporting colleagues who have already arrived in Delhi.
“Everything though seems to be moving on quite nicely now.”
On a personal note, it may surprise many that despite his ten-year career in the shortened form of the game, Gollings is still only 30 years of age. So how much does he have left?
“The body has been happy and I've been happy with my form and never felt fitter,” he explained, with the Olympic carrot of Brazil possibly his catalyst to continue.
“I'm happy with where I am and keep cracking on. I've set a target of 2016 but we'll see.”
Rio de Janeiro is poised to provide an ideal carnival atmosphere for the likes of Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and England in Sevens' big-time debut – a bow that Gollings believes will open so many ground-breaking doors for the sport.
“I thought the news was awesome and just a great opportunity for the Sevens world,” said the man who rates Serevi and Eric Rush as his toughest opponents over the years.
“We were unlucky to miss out last time with the bid and this time we got through and I think it's going to change the face of Sevens to an extent.
“I think you'll see each year it changing and getting bigger. There will be full-time squads, there's going to be professional series' popping up, more sponsorship and backing.
“I think at the moment we as Sevens are very much on the way up.”
By Adam Kyriacou