David Campese, born on October 21, 1962, in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, is an Australian former rugby union player, widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby players of all time. Campese began his professional career with the Queanbeyan Whites before moving to the Randwick DRUFC in 1982. He made his debut for the Australian National Team, the Wallabies, in 1982.

Campese is known for his incredible speed, agility, try-scoring ability, and creativity on the field. He has won numerous individual awards and holds multiple records, including the most tries scored for Australia.

Off the field, Campese is also recognized for his outspoken nature and contribution to the development of rugby worldwide.

Career

Queanbeyan Whites

Youth and Early Career: Campese was born and raised in Queanbeyan and began his career with the local club, the Queanbeyan Whites.

Randwick DRUFC

Club Success: Campese joined the Randwick DRUFC in 1982, where he achieved significant success and honed his skills before making his debut for the Wallabies.

Club Rugby in Italy

Overseas Experience: After his international career, Campese moved to Italy to play club rugby, playing for several teams including Amatori Rugby Milan and Benetton Rugby Treviso.

International Career

Australian National Team, the Wallabies

Debut: Made his debut for the Wallabies in 1982.

Achievements:

Rugby World Cup: Winner in 1991.
Campese is Australia's all-time top try scorer and is considered one of the greatest players in the history of Australian rugby.

Style of Play

Position: Primarily a wing, but also excelled as a fullback.
Skills: Known for his exceptional speed, agility, and try-scoring ability. Campese was celebrated for his creativity, unpredictable style of play, and ability to create scoring opportunities.

Personal Life

Family: Campese has two children. He was married to Lara Feltham.
Post-Rugby Career: After retiring from professional rugby, Campese has worked as a coach, rugby commentator, and public speaker. He also runs his own sports merchandise company.

Legacy

David Campese is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his creativity, unpredictability, and influence on the game of rugby. His impact on the sport and his status as an icon extend beyond the pitch, inspiring countless players and fans around the world.

Awards and Recognition

Most Tries in Test Rugby for Australia:

64 tries

International Rugby Hall of Fame:

Inducted in 2001

Rugby World Cup:

Winner in 1991

World Rugby Hall of Fame:

Inducted in 2013

References

Books

Campese, D. (1991) On a Wing and a Prayer. London: CollinsWillow.
Ella, M. (2003) Path to Victory: Wallaby Power in the 1980s. Sydney: ABC Books.

Websites

Rugby Australia: Information about David Campese’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.rugby.com.au
Rugby World: Details about Campese’s career and impact on the game. Available at: https://www.rugbyworld.com

Articles

The Guardian: David Campese: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/david-campese

Interviews and Documentaries

David Campese (2001): Directed by Malcolm McDonald. This documentary provides a detailed look at Campese’s life and career, featuring interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues.
ESPN Interviews: Various interviews and features on David Campese, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.espn.com