David Campese named in 'Hong Kong Magnificent Seven'

Australia’s David Campese has been unveiled as the fifth member of “Hong Kong’s Magnificent Seven", the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union’s commemorative campaign to recognise seven outstanding players in the past 40 years of Sevens in Hong Kong.

Campese, who trademarked the goosestep, was not as successful at sevens as he was at fifteen-a-side – 101 appearances for Australia and a then-record 64 international tries – but his contribution to the game of sevens and in Hong Kong was huge.

In 1983, Campese made the first of a dozen appearances (1983-90, 93-94, 97-98). He lit up the tournament, helping Australia defend their title in some of the wettest conditions ever recorded in March.

He captured two more Cups, in 1985 and 1988 – the last occasion when Australia took the top silverware. He won the Leslie Williams Award for player of the tournament in 1988 and 10 years later still had pace aplenty to run in tries for Australia.

Campese bridged generations of powerful Wallaby sides in Hong Kong, from the 1980s (Mark and Glen Ella, John Maxwell and Simon Poidevin) to playing alongside Michael Lynagh, Jason Little, Tim Horan and George Gregan in the 1990s.