- David Campese believes the Wallabies lack culture
- Coach Joe Schmidt and prop Taniela Tupou were eliminated
- The Wallabies face England on Sunday starting at 2:10am AEDT
Outspoken rugby legend David Campese has accused modern Wallabies stars of not understanding what their gold jersey represents, and feels many are simply playing for money.
Campese, 62, has never been shy about expressing his opinions and that is why the 1991 World Cup winner believes he has been shunned by countless Australian journalists in recent years.
It’s not that ‘Campo’ is losing sleep over what he perceives as a snub: what worries the decorated winger is that the current Australian squad lacks culture.
“If you don’t understand why you’re playing, then it doesn’t help,” he told Sydney Morning Herald before the Wallabies begin their spring tour of the UK.
‘It’s about money. They (current players) are well paid. It’s a job. But when you get paid and play for a big country (like Australia), I think you should have more respect and understanding of why you are there.
“When I started, aged 19, I had no idea what the hell I was doing, but I soon learned about the history and culture of the Wallabies.”
Campese also believes he has been “canceled for telling the truth” and questioned why the Wallabies are coached by New Zealander Joe Schmidt, who “has no idea about Australian rugby”.
Taniela Tupou was next in Campese’s sights, who asked that the prop play 80 minutes this weekend against England and “grow some balls”.
Outspoken rugby legend David Campese has accused modern Wallabies stars of not understanding what their gold jersey represents, and feels many are simply playing for money.
Next in Campese’s sights was Taniela Tupou, who asked that the prop play 80 minutes this weekend against England at Twickenham and that he also ‘grow some balls’.
Cross Code star Joseph Suaalii will make his Wallabies debut at outside center against England, and you’ll be able to watch the game and all the action from the Rugby Autumn Nations Series. live and exclusive on Stan Sport
Meanwhile, England captain Jamie George has admitted Joseph Suaalii is an unknown quantity ahead of his debut for the Wallabies, but the hosts plan to ensure Australia’s new recruit “knows what Test Rugby is all about”.
Suaalii, 21, will play outside center with Len Ikitau inside as he prepares for his first senior rugby match five years since he last played the code as a star schoolboy at The Kings School in Sydney.
“Joe Schmidt is someone who I’ve been a big fan of, respect enormously in terms of his understanding and knowledge and I know that if he (Suaalii) wasn’t ready to play then he wouldn’t be playing.” George said.
‘So that’s something we have to be very aware of. There is this element of the unknown, but at the same time we have to make sure we are as informed as possible.
“And we also need to make sure he knows what Test match rugby is all about.”
England assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth added that Suaalii is ““He’s obviously an incredible athlete and talent, so he has the reputation and the price that he has.”