Scotty’s wife Katrina brought the game ball in via Westpac Helicopter and the game was on.

A combined Albies and Kings College side in blue took it to the Pirates-Walgett team in white, eventually coming out on top 40-24.

All players had Campbell on their back with the blue side number 11 and the white 14, as Campbell was a winger.

There were some patches of brilliant expansive rugby, with plenty of entertaining footy for the crowd.

White captain Tim Miller said they surprised themselves with how they played.

International referee George Ayoub said the same thing after officiating the match.

After being the TMO referee at Eden Park for the New Zealand-England game on Saturday night, Ayoub flew back to Sydney, and then to Tamworth to find himself with a whistle in hand at the Pirates ground.

“I was surprised at the level of footy for a charity match – it was great,” Ayoub said.

“There was less dropped ball here than there was in the Test.”

The game started off with some big hits and finished with one, as Blue captain Bart Leach came off second best in a head clash.

“It was a great game and good to see so many come out and support the cause,” Leach said.