David Campese is a man who needs little introduction. Australias leading try-scorer at Test level, 'Campo' is widely regarded as one of the finest players to grace a rugby field.
A member of the 1991 World Cup-winning Wallabies team, Campese is still heavily invested in the game, having moved back to Australia from South Africa in January this year.
Giving back: David Campese takes a training session with the Sydney Boys High first XV.
Photo: James Brickwood
He is embarking on a roadshow around the country, coaching and educating kids about the game they play in heaven.
Never shy of an opinion, Campese sat down with Fairfax Media to talk grassroots, why the Wallabies looked complacent in Melbourne against the Irish and what Israel Folau could be doing better.
Tom Decent: What was your take on the first couple of Tests?
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David Campese: The Brisbane Test was fantastic, you can see the excitement of the players, they were very keen. In the second Test it looked like we thought we were going to win. There was a lot of very simple, basic skill mistakes we made that werent great. Getting yellow-carded in the first five minutes or so is not fantastic. That puts you behind the eight ball. Theyre not the second-best team for nothing. Will Genia was hit off the ball, how come the ref didnt see that? In Brisbane we took someone off the ball, scored, the ref came back five phases. Youve got to make your own luck. Theyre still a very young side, though.
TD: Its 15 months out from the World Cup, how do you think the Wallabies are faring?
DC: The problem is that its 15 months away. A Test match is a Test match, you need to win every one. [Michael Cheika has] obviously blooded a lot of guys but I dont think hes looking that far ahead at the moment.
Gas to burn but not the only one: Marika Koroibete accelerates through a gap in the Irish defence.
Photo: AP
TD: Being a former winger, what do you think of Marika Koroibete? Hes quite sharp.
DC: Hes done extremely well, hes a good finisher. I had a word to him last week about the Test in Brisbane where he got chopped down in the corner. I said: "Youve just got to really learn people have got gas as well." He thought he was going to gas the guy and sometimes theres guys who are pretty quick so youve got to look who is around you, probably come in field a couple of metres. Just little things. Its part of the game these guys probably havent been taught. Weve got some good wingers. Theyve got to really back themselves and learn probably a bit more about what the opposition is trying to do and get in good positions where they can score.
TD: Israel Folau has scored 32 tries from 64 matches. You chalked up 64 in 101. Can he break your record?
Prolific: David Campese says Israel Folau can get even more involved as he chases the former Wallaby's try-scoring record.
Photo: AAP
DC: If he wants to achieve the record. I dont know. Im sure if you ask him its about him playing well. He does very well. I think hes got to get in the game more, got to back himself. Everyone knows hes the danger so hes got to learn to try and catch-pass and then support. Maybe passing the ball earlier so he doesnt get tackled.
TD: There was a photo floating about of you at a lunch in Melbourne chatting to Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle. How do you think shes adapting to the new role?
DC: I dont think its easy for anyone after whats happened over the last couple of years. Theres been problems with the Force and all that so its not an easy thing to become involved in. Thats why I think Raelene has got the job. I have had a couple of meetings with her, she seems very good. She listens. Theres still a long way to go but Rome wasnt built in a day. Weve got to try and support her as much as we can. Theres a lot of good things happening in rugby. Weve got to stick together and go forward.
Flashback: David Campese in the 1994 Sydney grand final.
Photo: Dallas Kilponen
TD: You were spotted at Wallabies captains runs in Brisbane and Melbourne. Is it nice to be back around Australian rugby after time abroad?
DC: It is. 'Cheik' Ive known from club rugby and Stevie Larkham for years. It is good to be around and just see the difference. Cheik has got some good guys around him who are very good at their game. I think its really important that they understand were all supportive. Weve got our job to do – coaching the kids – and their job on the field is to win for Australia. We have the same goal: to make the Wallabies the best team in the world again.
TD: Youve been doing plenty of coaching lately, has anything caught your eye?
DC: Grassroots is still alive. What we need to do is get a bit more involved. Weve been out there working pretty hard. At Ballymore before the Test, we had 138 kids on the Friday night. In Melbourne, we had about 60 kids. In Seaforth on Wednesday, we had 200 kids. At Toowoomba, they had about 400 kids. Its still there, we just need to go back to grassroots and say this is our future. Investing in the grassroots is very important. I really enjoy coaching six-year-olds. Thats why I started the David Campese Rugby Academy. Its encouraging to see the interest.
TD: What are your messages to the kids?
DC: Its about trying to get out there and pass on the knowledge. Weve played a lot of Test matches but we dont seem to have, in this country, passed it on because most of the guys go on TV and they dont go out and coach. Its about trying to give them the simple, basic skills, coach the coaches about catch-pass, just the simple things and repeating it.
Nowadays, sport is about competing, not winning. For me, winning is vital. You get that hunger to go to the next level. Thats another thing weve got to try and get into the kids. Its turning up knowing you can win. Weve got to let the kids fail. The more you fail, the more you will have a go and try. Falling out of trees like I used to … now they wont let you climb a tree.
One of the problems over the years, sometimes when youve been successful is you forget about where you came from.
TD: Saturday marks the last rugby Test at Allianz Stadium before it gets knocked down. You played plenty there in your day, are there any favourite memories?
DC: We flogged England 40-15 in 1991 and they were the Five Nations champions back then. We beat the All Blacks 21-12 in 1991 as well. Two weeks later we played them in Auckland and they won 6-3 before the World Cup. Nineteen-eighty-nine, there was the British Lions series and things didnt work out that well for us, with my pass to Greg Martin. Theres good and bad things that happen but the most important thing is you learn. In 1996, Randwick played the grand final there and we beat Warringah who hadnt lost a game all year. Some of the best players in the world played there and in rugby league, too. It was a great stadium.
Tom Decent is a journalist with Fairfax Media.
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