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Baker’s coach, Mike Friday, is cautious when looking to compare the two players.

“(Campbell) is more akin to Carlin as he had to learn on the circuit. Perry has the benefit of learning behind closed doors for five years before coming to us.”

The key to transitioning players from one sport to another is to “focus on what they can do rather than what they can’t do … that’s the public perspective as well as when coaching them,” Friday added.

Campbell has already come a long way, but his coach would like to see what another 12 months of rugby-focused training might do.

“I think he could be the kind of player Canada has rarely seen in sevens.” But the plan is for Campbell to return to his CFL life in a month or so. He still makes far more money playing for the Alouettes, there’s just no getting around that, his coach said.

So for now, Campbell is learning as much as he can. “It’s like he’s studying for an exam,” McGrath said.

Campbell said he watches a lot of video, both of himself and of other players. Given his football background, that makes a lot of sense.

“I’m my biggest critic.”

“I look at all the guys who are game changers,” he said. “I try to see how … they expose the defence.”

“I’ve learned that to not try to make every play. You’ll get there in time.”

The off-field experience, of going to a new city for a week, of taking in new cultures alongside training for the weekend’s main event, and of course bonding with teammates, has been the biggest surprise.

“It’s not like football, where you just fly in, fly out for a game,” he said. “I’m really liking the tour experience. And this is a great team to be on.”

Yes, he’ll be going back to the CFL, but he’s hoping he’ll be back in sevens — and he’s also going to carry a message with him.

“I’m going to try to sell the whole CFL on sevens.”

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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