Michael Campbell: ‘Cool, calm and collected’
Michael Campbell has swapped the fairways for the sidelines this month as he gets a close-up look at the All Blacks. He likes what he sees, writes Peter Thornton.
MICHAEL CAMPBELL says the All Blacks are ‘‘quietly confident’’ that they can defend their Rugby World Cup title.
The Wellington-raised former US Open champion, who was invited to attend the captain’s run in Wales ahead of last week’s 62-13 victory over France in the quarterfinals, caught up with a number of senior players and was impressed by the All Blacks’ composure.
The defending champions are looking to make history by becoming the first side to win back-to-back World Cups, the first New Zealand side to win the title away from home and the first team to hold aloft the William Webb Ellis trophy for a third time.
They will have to get past the old foe South Africa at Twickenham tomorrow and, all going to plan, then overcome the winner of the other semifinal between Australia and Argentina the following week.
‘‘They are quietly confident that they can get it done, but they also know how big the challenge is,’’ the 46-year-old said from his home in Spain. ‘‘They know the expectations on them are high, but they said that was nothing new being an All Black, they seemed very comfortable with that pressure.’’
Campbell, who famously held off world No 1 Tiger Woods in his prime to win his major title at Pinehurst 10 years ago, said mental strength and confidence was a huge part of success at the highest level of sport.
He said, after watching the All Blacks up close, that they were all very much in control, mentally.
‘‘They were calm and focused and that is exactly the state you need to be in to perform in the biggest games.
‘‘They are cool, calm and collected at the pressure end of the tournament and you can tell that with the freedom they were able to play with against France.’’
He rated that performance, a record score in a Rugby World Cup finals match, and the highestever score against France by the All Blacks, as a real highlight in his time as a die-hard All Blacks fan.
‘‘To be there at Cardiff to watch them demolish the French and deliver one of the best performances by an All Blacks team at a World Cup was incredible,’’ he said. ‘‘It was one of the best sporting events I have experienced.
‘‘I must admit that it has been more than 15 years since I last watched the All Blacks play live. It is disgraceful, I know, but that is how my life has been with playing all around the world – it was just too hard.
‘‘There is nothing like [seeing them play live]. This All Blacks team is something special as well. The pace they play the game at is incredible and every player from one to 23 just has amazing skills. That is what sets this All Blacks team aside, whether you are in the front row or the backline all of the team has skillsets that the other teams just don’t have.’’
CAMPBELL said watching the captain’s run from the sidelines was an amazing experience and the major champion felt ‘‘privileged’’ to chat with the likes of Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Sonny Bill Williams. He was in the process of packing his bags for London where he’ll be at Twickenham with his two boys Thomas, 17, and Jordan, 15, for the highly anticipated semifinal against South Africa.
The eight-time winner on the European Tour has hung up his clubs for now, but is eyeing a return to competitive golf in four years when he turns 50 and will be eligible for the Senior European Tour.
In the meantime, he is setting up golf academies in Spain and tutoring the next level of aspiring professionals to hone their skills for the world tours. And more importantly, enjoying some downtime with his kids.
‘‘I have been away for most of my life so it is nice to have time with my boys.
‘‘They are at the stage of life where it is important to have their dad around. We are having a lot of fun together, playing sport, I take them to school and just hang out. I am in a really good space right now.’’
Campbell and his wife Julie divorced three years ago and he now has a Swedish girlfriend. He is making up for lost time in watching the All Blacks live by being in the thick of this Rugby World Cup.
‘‘I cannot wait for the next game. It was such an incredible atmosphere in Cardiff after that performance. Hopefully they can do something similar at Twickenham.’’