Australian rugby legend David Campese has expressed his disappointment at being overlooked for the NSW Waratahs coaching position.
Campese felt it was his time to step up and take over from Daryl Gibson, who quit in June after four years as Waratahs head coach.
But the Wallabies’ all-time leading try-scorer and 1991 World Cup winner took to Facebook to reveal he had been ruled out as a candidate.
“I received a call to say that I haven’t made it through to the final 2 candidates for the Waratahs Head Coach Role. Their reason: I don’t have enough experience as a head coach,” Campese wrote.
“It seems my experience as an international player and coach at all levels of rugby from International Level, Super 15 level and right down to grass roots level over the past 40 years, wasn’t enough.
“Watching the downward spiral of rugby in Australia from the sidelines for many years, I felt It was time for me to get actively involved.
“Working with NSW Rugby and RA for the past 18 months, I travelled the country coaching and connecting with clubs and schools. I enjoyed meeting these passionate and dedicated supporters and was fortunate to engage in many informative conversations with coaches, players, parents and supporters from many different clubs and schools.
“Sadly, every single one of them felt the same way about rugby: disillusioned, disconnected and helpless about the lack of support. I had hoped that my involvement at this level would make a difference and for some it hopefully has, however (sic) became clear to me that you cannot change a culture from the bottom up.”
Campese said his proposal to NSW Rugby was to overhaul the current coaching system and invest in a new one that mirrored from the top and at all levels right down to grassroots rugby.
“How do you expect to produce talent and depth without investing in the systems that produce them? I proposed shaking up the style of rugby, bringing back a winning mentality through a coaching style that encourages attacking, running rugby and risk taking,” he wrote.
“My aim was to turn the Waratahs into a formidable force in Super 15 Rugby whilst strategically investing in a grassroots program that produces highly skillful (sic) and confident players that can seamlessly transition into the more advanced levels of rugby.”
One-time frontrunner for the Waratahs role, former NSW assistant coach Scott Wisemantel, now England’s attack coach, has reportedly turned down the job.
Campese hopes the successful applicant is “someone with a deep understanding of the complex issues of the Australian rugby culture whilst upholding the heritage of the Waratahs”.
“Someone who is truly passionate about believing we can win again and, with this belief, reigniting the passion of the supporters and public,” he wrote.
“Someone who has the courage to make change despite the media and public scrutiny when the results don’t come immediately.”
Blinky Bill
Roar Rookie
'Can they do any worse than they have in recent years?' I have asked this very same question before in a sport that I was associated with, believing the answer was an obvious 'well of course not'. Unfortunately, I was wrong.
MitchO
Guest
I've seen KB tackle too but he can't tackle worth a dam either.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Final 2 are reportedly Rob Penney and Damian Hill. With Penney having the inside running.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Campo will always be the people's choice!
Machooka
Roar Guru
Just a wee suggestion on Aussie stocks me Madrid Man :happy:
Machooka
Roar Guru
Agree... it was a long bow to riddler's thrust and parry :silly:
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Gilmore is exactly where he needs to be. Don't underestimate the importance of the Junior Walla's having a good coach. Shortlist of 2, and one is in Japan
riddler
Roar Rookie
Chook my good man. Gilmore I would love to get some more overseas experience. My wet dream scenario would be for rennie and Schmidt to take both available jobs. Either or. All superb for oz rugby. Won't happen sadly as we will go with the usual, need an Australian to understand Australian playere boll ocks. On a side note just seen we have won the toss and decided to bowl. Shows how much I know about anything. I would have batted.
Machooka
Roar Guru
'there is no ozzie that deserves it that i can see.' Tend to agree riddler... But I might suggest Jason Gilmore as the only 'aussie' (and can we not do da 'ozzie' thingy? :happy: ) as the only 'on the rise' coach here in Aussie. Otherwise, Rennie's name has been cropping up... Tah or Wallaby. I would like him at either... but presently I'm focused here on my Tahs. Call it selfish... :laughing:
Boosho
Roar Pro
Couldn't tackle? You clearly missed the '95 Bledisloe when he tackled Lomu
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Acrually Sanu was made captain and he had already signed in Japan. Reds were filthy and U heard Samu had to front up and explain that to a level higher than Thorn. It was always about the money, not Thorn
riddler
Roar Rookie
get the best they can. please don't just go for an ozzie. there is no ozzie that deserves it that i can see. get someone in on a 3 year contract.
riddler
Roar Rookie
not true peter. qld rejected lancaster for stiles. that was mind-numblingly stup id on the part of the qru.
Campo’s accountant
Guest
Campo makes a living charging junior clubs up to $500 for the pleasure of having him coach the u13s for an hour. Grassroots development... Great guy, but wouldn’t put him in charge of anything important
MitchO
Guest
Bobby, Campo couldn't tackle but how many tries were actually scored on him? I reckon not that many
numpty
Roar Rookie
Still not a falling out with Thorn.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Might be time for a Caprain/Coach ?
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Kerevi left because of a million bucks. Samu could pay for his brother at QLD Uni if he wanted to be with him.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Tahs would be dumber to employ Campo as Defence Coach
Richie
Roar Rookie
Sounds like he wanted to miss out so he could go on some crazy rant……although his criticisms are on the money. Now that Cheika doesn’t/can’t pick majority tahs players maybe the top end will have to change.