His name is synonymous with sevens rugby. In fact, he is royalty in the sport. Englishman Ben Gollings rules the roost in the shorter format of the game.
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He is the record points scorer on the World Sevens Series circuit and played in the very first version of the tournament in 1999, aged 19.
He became the first player to break the 2,000-point barrier in 2009. He is the only player, still, to have passed that mark, eventually finishing with a total of 2,652 points when he retired in 2011.
He is the second highest try scorer in sevens history with 220, with only Argentina’s Santiago Gomez Cora having scored more.
In the 15-a-side game, Gollings represented England at Under-16, U18, Students and A team levels and his club career included spells in the Aviva Premiership with Harlequins, Newcastle Falcons and Worcester Warriors.
These days he’s working with Fijian sevens legend, Waisele Serevi, in promoting the game globally through Serevi Rugby.
You’re working with Waisele Serevi as part of Serevi Rugby. Tell us about that?
Wais and I are partners with the business, Serevi Rugby. We’re based in Seattle, Washington, and part of the focus is to grow the game in the US.
But the other part is working alongside HSBC and delivering rugby festivals and helping the game grow throughout the rest of the world.
You were coaching in the UAE last year before the Dubai Sevens. What was your take on the Emirati talent?
I think it’s been quite exciting. You might think at first that they’re not rugby people, but they’ve got some great skills.
They work hard and their decision-making is quite good. And they love the contact, which are all good recipes for starting to learn how to play rugby. They seem to have plenty of energy with it, so they impressed us quite a lot.
Is sevens the best way for people to learn the game, particularly in a developing rugby nation like the UAE?
Yes, 100 per cent. In 15s there are some real specific positions that take a long time to learn, especially in the forwards with the front row and second row.
Sevens, there are some specifics but really once the ball’s live everybody’s involved in the same capacity and also, you’re not having to develop the numbers that 15s commands. So it’s a great introduction into rugby.
I think that’s the same for the UAE and a lot of the developing nations. It’s a medium they can use to springboard people into 15s and grow their rugby playing base.
Congrats @bengollings10 The Hong Kong Magnificent Seven – Ben Gollings: http://t.co/2QaOmxJMKa
— Seti (@lefolauga) February 26, 2015
You’ve played sevens at the highest level. What’s the best advice you can give?
The ability to move the ball accurately is key in sevens. Then it’s the decision making and the ability to move and be constantly on the move. I think if we can get that into people it’s a good recipe for playing good sevens.
What’s your experience of the Dubai Sevens been like?
I’ve loved playing in Dubai. It was always one of the great tournaments of the series. Maybe I’m a bit biased, being English, but there’s a big expat community here, like Hong Kong, and they really get behind you. That always made it more exciting.
It’s a great occasion, great venue and we loved the challenge of playing in the heat and in the desert. We had some crazy times here where it rained one year, you’d never expected it. It was worse than playing on a muddy day in England.
The next year we had a sandstorm. It all adds to the flavour of sevens so I love this place.
What was your favourite memory from playing in Dubai?
Winning it my last time here in 2011, against Samoa. It’s always a great place to play but to win is special and in my last year we made it quite special.
What is the future for the sevens game?
I think it’s going to keep growing, especially with the Olympics, which is great. But I also think it works well with 15s.
A lot of people talk about one will take over the other. I don’t think that’s necessary. I think they both support each other and players move both ways.
What I enjoyed was that I could play both and I still think there’s room for that. There will probably be more tournaments, which will make the sevens player become more and more full time.
The Rugby World Cup takes place later this year. How do you think England are looking heading into that?
It’s been a big few months and games for England. They have to keep developing. There’s always a degree of negativity around England but it’s not easy playing South Africa and New Zealand, even if you are at home.
Come the World Cup and playing in Twickenham, you know they’re going to be ready. I think they’ll be up there. Their team is coming together and looking like a team that has the potential to win.
Who’s the best player in the world at the moment?
The best player I think is a no brainer in terms of Richie McCaw. He’s just the standout and it’s an incredible achievement he gained last year to get his 100th cap as captain. That’s incredible.
Who do you think could light up the World Cup?
Having the likes of Sonny Bill Williams coming back in the New Zealand squad is exciting. I’m looking forward to seeing South Africa full-back Willie Le Roux who was up for IRB player of the year too. It’s the big stage for him and he could set things alight.
How did you first get into rugby?
Through school, but I was actually quite late into rugby. Football was the main sport for me. Then I moved to a school which was more multi-sport and they offered rugby. I gave it a go and enjoyed it. But I didn’t concentrate on it until I was a bit older. My favourite childhood memory of rugby was winning the Rosslyn Park 7s.
Apart from rugby, what other sports are you keen on?
Golf. I manage to squeeze in a game every now and then. I’ve always played a lot of golf while I was playing rugby. I think it’s quite a cool sport that compliments rugby because it’s at the opposite end of the spectrum, obviously in terms of contact and ferocity.
But for me it’s been all sports. I love tennis. And now, living in America, a bit of baseball. I’ve enjoyed watching my boys play American football as well, so I’m a lover of all sports. Anything on offer I’ll give it a crack.
