Wallabies legend David Campese says Australia have great backs, but need to change their mindset after falling into the trap of playing like everyone else.
One of the most exciting and entertaining players ever produced by the code, winger-fullback Campese returned to Australia in early 2018 after living in South Africa for ten years.
Campese, who played 101 Tests and logged a then world record 64 tries, is coaching youngsters across the country with the assistance of the Australian Rugby Foundation.
He said his old Randwick clubmate and Australian coach Michael Cheika had brought a lot of discipline to the Wallabies.
But Campese is adamant there’s still room in the modern-day game for entertainers and mavericks like himself who occasionally make mistakes.
He’s excited about some of the Wallabies emerging talent including uncapped backs Jack Maddocks and Tom Banks, who have both been named in the squad for the three-Test series against Ireland.
Campese wants to see Australia play the unpredictable and exciting style which was often its trademark during his playing days in the 1980s and 90s.
“I think we’ve fallen into the trap of what everyone else wants to play,” Campese said.
‘”We don’t play what the New Zealanders play, it’s always been different.
“France used to play fantastic rugby, they play like everyone else now. Why?
“Play what you’re good at and we had great backs, we were very unpredictable.
“We have still got great backs, Maddocks is a young guy, Banks who is playing great rugby.
“We’ve got five really exciting players in the backline.
“Rugby league has had a big influence on our game in defence.
“If you break it down we can still bring the game to the way we want to play it, we’ve just got to try and change our mindset a bit.”
Campese said he had noticed a lot of schoolchildren couldn’t catch and pass, but he tried to be constructive rather than critical.
“What I try and do is let the kids fail, if you don’t fail, how do you know how good you are?” he said.
“I’ve failed in Tests as well, but I didn’t want to give up I wanted to keep on going.”
