AUSTRALIA GREAT DAVID Campese says he has changed his mind about Joe Schmidt, admitting the New Zealander is “proving me wrong” as Wallabies coach.
Campese, 62, was furious about Rugby Australia’s decision to appoint Schmidt, who helped steer his native All Blacks to a runners-up finish at last year’s Rugby World Cup.
“I don’t believe we should have a Kiwi coach,” said Campese. “Joe Schmidt hasn’t won anything. Yes, he might have won a Six Nations (with Ireland), but the World Cup is the ultimate for any sports player or coach, and he hasn’t won anything.
“We always seem to get a coach that has never won anything. We always seem to get the second-best Kiwi coach, never the first-best.”
Campese, who scored 64 tries in 101 Tests added: “Joe Schmidt has got no idea about our culture or history.
“We’re mauling the ball from 22 metres out. We don’t do that. That’s not Australian rugby.”
But a few months on Campese took a very different turn after wins over England and Wales this month.
Indeed those victories, featuring 13 tries in total, have left Campese calling on officials to offer Schmidt a contract extension through to the 2027 World Cup, a tournament where Australia are the hosts.
“He (Schmidt) is proving me wrong again,” said Campese. “It didn’t start well but the players have responded well to the coach. He seems to be doing a great job. He is only on a two-year deal until after the British and Irish Lions tour next year. He will do everything he can do in that time.”
Campese, speaking to Vision4Sport, added: “There was a rumour that Schmidt was just a stop gap but who knows. If he carries on with the improvement and they do well against the Lions, then they would have to look at a new deal until the World Cup.”
A gifted attacking player in his own right, Campese also forecast a bright Wallaby future for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii following the rugby league convert’s impressive Test debut against England at Twickenham.
“What impresses me the most about him is that he is not a selfish player,” Campese said. “He got the ball and did what he had to do as a centre with his passing and offloading. He demonstrated that he is a team player…He has learned rapidly and he is only going to get better.”
Australia continue their tour against Scotland on Sunday before their final match against Ireland in Dublin.
A loss, he was coming to form… and is an exciting player on attack. A lot of people disappointed with him at the start of the season but Munster were playing poorly as a team anyway. He as individual wasn’t going to make Munster a success overnight.
I would of loved to see him remain for another year. Compared to R Scannell he’s far more of a treat and has great running lines and ball in hand skills for off loading and making the pass.
Beir bua Malakai
Hello bundee?
@Gary Galligan: Bundee won’t be going anywhere, sorry to burst your bubble.
@Gary Galligan: they’ve already signed Nankivell
@Gary Galligan: already signed Alex Nankivell. No Bundee after that id say!
@Gary Galligan: why are you saying hello to Bundee??? We have a centre signed
Awful start. But seemed to kick into gear after been dropped.
Still not the player that was on the world cup winning team, but good signing all same. They have been really impressive benetton this year.
@Paddy Waggon: Benetton at home have been very very good, away from home have only beat Zebre and Ospreys. Looks like they are acting like the Top 14 teams, in having a home team and away team. Think for this last stretch they will just play strongest team available. They have a lot more non Italian players than in years past, look to have picked up a number of good Argentinians from Jaguares plus have a lot of good young players coming though.
Even with the new lad coming from NZ, feels a bit light at centre.
Frisch has made a good start and Scannell is a solid backup, but Goggin hasn’t looked up to it in recent season. Gibbons is the one academy centre and only year 1.
Wonder if Munster will go to the market again? Either IQ or NIQ
@Johnny 5: you forgot Oli Morris
@Kingshu: Short term signing as emergency cover for Farrell no? I haven’t seen him in a 23 yet. Hardly staying on
Shocking state of affairs but I reckon Leinster have at least 5 centres ahead of any of what Munster can put out – apart from henshaw and ringrose there’s O’Brien osborne ngatai and Frawley
And while it may seem a slight on Munster I see it more as a massive problem for Irish rugby
@John Lowry: thought another centre, Liam Turner was one of the best players going forward last weekend
@John Lowry: We’ve always had problems in the middle of the park really.
How many would cup winners have played for Irish provinces? Munster have had 3 recently. Perhaps some of Harrison (Ulster) Langford or Williams ??
@Ciaran Kennedy: Mils Muliaina for Connacht too.
@Ciaran Kennedy: Thorn Leinster?
@Ciaran Kennedy: all the 2007 bokke. Botja Munster Ulster, Pienaar Ulster, Muller Ulstrr, CJ at Leinster.
@Ciaran Kennedy: don’t see your point really …, but as you brought up the topic Leinster could possibly have about 12 by the end of the year all going well … and Munster Ulster and Connaught should also reap the awards.
@Ciaran Kennedy: don’t see your point really …, but as you brought up the topic Leinster could possibly have about 12 by the end of the year all going well … and Munster Ulster and Connaught should also reap the awards.
@Cathal Carr: Jesus hadn’t remembered Pienaar was there back in 07.
I think the ‘Bundee to Munster’ issue is still open. There is still a space at Munster as Farrell is also gone. It seems to me the basic question is whether Bundee’s relationship with the Connacht management is resolved. Are they going to play him? If not, there is no point in a centrally contracted player rotting away
Leave out the interprovincial BS it was a personal decision, I wish him and his family the best. Nothing personal to the clubs is my take