Terry Campese deserves a crack at Blues captaincy
Roar Guru By Alan Nicolea, 23 Mar 2010 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Brisbane Broncos, Canberra Raiders, NRL, Rugby League, Terry Campese
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During the second half of a very tense tussle between the Canberra Raiders and Brisbane Broncos, the Green MKachine had to produce one of their more courageous defensive displays in recent memory to carve out a 22-14 win.
With an 18-nil score line in Canberra’s favour, the Broncos continued the early season trend of comebacks in the NRL by scoring three unanswered tries in the second half to close the gap to four points.
Despite having to make 80 more tackles than their opposition, the Raiders eventually got the two competition points thanks largely to the brilliant effort of Raiders captain Terry Campese.
Although Raiders debutant Shane Fensom stole the show in defence for Canberra with 49 tackles, rarely do we see an attacking dynamo such as Campese end up making 41 tackles, one of which stopped Sam Thaiday from scoring a critical try in the second half.
Campese’s showing was a testament to his capabilities as an NRL first grader let alone a representative player. With the ball in hand Campese can rub shoulders with the very best playmakers in the game and then some.
Whilst most ball players are often somewhat of a liability in defence, Campese, along with Alan Tongue, can act as a cornerstone for a Raiders defence that often struggles to keep the opposition at bay.
His effort on Monday night showcased all the traits necessary to not only warrant a re-call to the NSW Origin side, but to captain them against the Maroons when the series begins on May 26.
With players as young as Mitchell Pearce now being considered as a candidate for the Blues Origin captaincy, one believes Terry Campese has displayed more consistent form and leadership than his Roosters counterpart, and thus should be considered as a prime candidate to lead his State.
Dropped harshly by Blues selectors following NSW’s loss in game one last season, it appears Campese must lead the Raiders to the top of the table to have any chance of regaining his Blues jersey.
Its astonishing to think that the selectors went as far as dropping Campese, only to replace him with Sharks captain Trent Barrett, who is still leading a toothless Cronulla side with an inability to score points.
In the end, Campese can only do so much on the field and it will ultimately be up to the selectors again to pick a team capable of ending Queensland’s four year reign.
With last year’s captain Kurt Gidley not even expected to start for NSW this season, the selectors will have a difficult task picking a new leader to hopefully guide the Blues to their first Origin series victory in five seasons.
If the selectors could just cast their eyes beyond the Sydney border, they will discover a more than worthy NSW captain quietly plying his trade down at the nation’s capital.
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- Explore:
- Brisbane Broncos, Canberra Raiders, NRL, Rugby League, Terry Campese
March 23rd 2010 @ 12:57pm
sledgeross said | March 23rd 2010 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
To be fair, Gallen doesnt give away any more penalties than any other backrower who averages 15+ tackles a game. Its just because of his reputation that people notice it more.
March 23rd 2010 @ 4:43pm
Stormin Red said | March 23rd 2010 @ 4:43pm | Report comment
Campese was treated so poorly by the selectors last year, he was hung out to dry by his own selectors and made a scape goat for their own failings. I hope he does get back into Origin because he has the talent to prove those selectors wrong.
What about Alan Tongue though. If he was a Queenslander he would have played in 10 origins by now. The guy is made for it, much like Dallas Johnson was for Queensland. Tough as nails and always gives everything he has to offer. When will you Blues learn it is not all about how big you are (Mason) or how hard you can hit a guy when his back is turned (Gallen).
March 23rd 2010 @ 7:42pm
M1tch said | March 23rd 2010 @ 7:42pm | Report comment
Tongue wouldnt be out of place in the 9 jersey imo
My halves at this stage are Pearce and Mullen with Carney off the bench
March 24th 2010 @ 9:57am
ilikelollies said | March 24th 2010 @ 9:57am | Report comment
Skeepe, is that you ?
He’s a good player but he needs to be left alone to deal with his own game.
As for the Tongue-Johnson comparisons, what many people overlook with DJ is that he could start and finish a tackle agaisnt a much bigger man on his own, and that was his greatest value to the teams he played in.
And why Tongue, or most other players in the workhorse category, arent in his league.
March 24th 2010 @ 9:59am
sledgeross said | March 24th 2010 @ 9:59am | Report comment
how hard you can hit a guy when his back is turned (Gallen)
Watch some games and you would see Gallen cops just as much as he gives out mate. He puts his body on the line for a crap team every week.
March 25th 2010 @ 12:57am
ScottWoodward.me said | March 25th 2010 @ 12:57am | Report comment
Alan,
I am sorry i wrote another thread before I noticed yours, anyway, the problem with Campese is 2 fold for me.
1. I am not totally convinced that his offence will compliment a Blues team
2. He can be hot and cold and to be captain you need to be guaranteed of a starting spot. That will never happen with Campo in such a key position as 6.
The easy way out for the selectors is to maintain either Kimmorley or Barrett for one more year. With a very inexperienced backline, their experience will be crucial.
March 25th 2010 @ 3:21am
Andrew Watson said | March 25th 2010 @ 3:21am | Report comment
Greg Bird will be the first player picked!!! Whether he plays 6 or 13, he must be in the team…
I also think Scott is right. NSW must retain either Kimmorley or Barrett in the halves. Only until then can they start looking at who will play alongside them. I liked what I saw from Pearce in his debut, but he also needed some time to gain more experience. With 2 years past and the form which he has started the year, he will be very highly regarded in the eyes of Daley & Co.
Just to finish, I think Campese is too selfish a player for Origin. Too hot and cold and more importantly, if you give him a touch-up, (which is gona happen in Origin) he has limited self control and losses the plot. A player like this will not be in Craig Ballamey’s team for such a crucial role.
March 25th 2010 @ 11:04am
Alan Nicolea said | March 25th 2010 @ 11:04am | Report comment
Scott
Kurt Gidley was last year’s captain yet it is almost certain he well start from the bench this year. He may not even make the seventeen.
March 25th 2010 @ 11:15am
M1tch said | March 25th 2010 @ 11:15am | Report comment
I bet Gidley will be there, even if he plays just 1 game for Knights before game 1, the selectors seem to love him for some reason
March 25th 2010 @ 12:48pm
ScottWoodward.me said | March 25th 2010 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
Alan
Its true Bellamy loves Gidley but he has some challenges off the field at the moment and even if he gets back I would prefer Luke Lewis off the bench or Carney, who can play every back position.
March 25th 2010 @ 3:40pm
alan nicolea said | March 25th 2010 @ 3:40pm | Report comment
Scott
Indeed Carney at the moment would give the Blues the X factor needed to maybe score that last try to win the game. IMO, Gidley does not provide such attacking spark although he is a great player. Gidley’s chances have no doubt increased after confirmation of Brett Stewart’s season ending injury.
March 25th 2010 @ 3:51pm
ScottWoodward.me said | March 25th 2010 @ 3:51pm | Report comment
alan
Hayne is 1 so how does Stewart feature?
Gids problem is getting back on the field and thats not a given.