George Gregan still clutches the William Webb Ellis Cup as tightly as the day he won it with the Wallabies in 1999.
Only those who’ve earned the right can touch rugby’s most coveted trophy, otherwise you have to wear gloves.
Gregan has been drumming up support for the World Cup to be held in the UK from September 18 to November 1.
He wishes kids of all ethnic backgrounds at least gave the sport a go, because it’s a great way to be part of what he calls a special community.
“You can go anywhere in the world, and say you've played rugby, doesn't matter what level, and you'd be welcome in any rugby club. You could be in Kazakhstan, you could be in Russia, North America, Canada or Fiji," he said.
"They love the game. It's a way of showing a real connection and rugby's really special like that, it's a game which travels, and people travel to watch it,” says Australia’s most capped player.
Gregan believes it’s vital for rugby to capitalise on the excitement only a World Cup can provide, given the success of the Socceroos and the A-league, as well as the ongoing popularity of the AFL and NRL.
And he thinks there is a lot of untapped potential in Australia’s ethnic communities.
A good performance in the UK would no doubt help the sport’s cause.
Gregan says the Wallabies have the players and the coach to get the job done, they just need a bit more consistency, and belief in themselves.
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