Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and all-time leading try-scorer David Campese have been added to the Nine Network’s new commentary team for the 2021 Super Rugby AU season.
Cheika coached Australia from 2014 until the end of the 2019 World Cup, and has since worked with Argentina during their Tri Nations campaign, as well as the Sydney Roosters in the NRL.
He also spent some time working on TV in the UK, and has said he’ll be aiming to give viewers a “different view on the game”.
“I can’t see myself on the microphone asking questions but [my job will be] around giving people who are watching the game a different view on the game and insights into what might be happening in the background and on the field,” Cheika said to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“There is going to be a whole new viewing audience to get a look at rugby. Lots of different outlooks on the game will maybe help people connect with the game. I think people who have watched the game for a while, they know what’s going on, so they might be interested to hear some different points of view.
“I remember coming back from the 2015 World Cup after it being on free-to-air on Nine and it really touched a lot of people who wouldn’t see the game before. I think it’s a good chance to give an insight to those people and the loyal rugby fan who has been watching the game for years.
“Obviously I have an interesting perspective because I have been on the other side. If you have an opinion, it’s based on evidence, not just a thought. It’s also about trying to connect the dots for people around what players and coaches are thinking or doing as opposed to judging them. I won’t be going on TV to judge anybody.”
Campese, the Wallabies’ all-time leading try-scorer and a World Cup winner in 1991, has also worked on TV before, in his case in South Africa, as well as in a range of coaching roles.
“I’ve always wanted to be in rugby,” Campese said to the Herald.
“I just think I’m old enough now to understand the game pretty well and just try and give a different aspect. Over the last couple of years I think the game has been neglected in knowledge of the game. I’m not saying the guys who have been there don’t know the game, but I’m a bit different.”
Cheika and Campese will join the rest of the Nine/Stan commentary team, which includes hosts Nick McArdle and Roz Kelly, play-by-play callers Sean Maloney and Andrew Swain, and former players Allana Ferguson, Tim Horan, Morgan Turinui, Drew Mitchell, Andrew Mehrtens and Justin Harrison.
Lara
Guest
All we need now is Alan Jones and we will have the full set.
Lara
Guest
More pain for the average Oz rugby supporter.
piru
Roar Rookie
Maybe we could turn the sound down… and get Roy and HG on the radio? Now someone's thinking - I second that one
Phil
Guest
BM,I attended a function a few years back where Campo was one of the after dinner speakers.I, being a big fan of his during his playing days,was so looking forward to hearing him.All I'll say is,his comments will want to be a hell of a lot better than his performane that night!
Kiwikrs
Roar Rookie
I personally don't think Chieka is far enough removed from the players yet to allow him to be impartial
Enlightened
Guest
He is into soccerball.
Mielie
Guest
Oh no! And there I thought Australian commentary could not become worse than what it is now.
Olly
Roar Rookie
So glad they got Cheika, I would give him a rugby show. A coach is a good person to have in the commentary team and he will spice things up. Just need a ref now.
mused6
Roar Rookie
Cheika can’t blame the ref if he sucks at his job this time. Campo should be able to give excellent tips on how to exit a ruck in a flash after being tackled. More likely he will provide plenty of ammunition for the Wallabies opponents in the coming years.
Lorry
Roar Rookie
we have to remember it's channel 9....
Try Hard
Roar Rookie
In both cases bot Campo and Cheika have shown they believe they are bigger, smarter and more important than the game itself. Cheika played a huge role in bringing the credibility of the Wallaby jersey and Australian rugby to a new low. Campo is the Michael Clarke of Rugby. "I know it all and no one could match my skill" I was looking forward to the team of commentators which included Horan, Harrison, Mertens etc. Now with the additional two I will have the volume down
Hoy
Roar Guru
No, no, no, no, no!
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
How do either of these guys add any value at all to the commentary. Cheika clearly had no idea when he was in the thick of it, and Campese is a has been who’s clearly out of touch. Disappointing ‘additions’.
Machooka
Roar Guru
I'm pretty sure both won't be sharing the commentary box at the same time... there's not enough room! :silly:
Kramer
Guest
Seriously the people who quote things like “build it and they will come” who are obviously the types running channel 9 cannot read a room and it’s obvious have no idea. Cheika and Campo????????????. How much narcissism, ego and portraying a victim can you have in one box. Let me know if it’s as painful as it sounds.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Given Chieka's press conference efforts and difficult to understand diction I hope he isn't a front line commentator.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
He loves the spotlight but I'll concede your points Piru. Never a dull moment, that's for sure
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Hmm... Not so sure about these appointments. Sure, both are huge names in OZ rugby, but I fear we gonna hear a lot Kafer:esque comments about the game going soft and yada yada yada. But let's give them a chance first.
Charlie Turner
Guest
"No knowledge of the role players".....so pretty much the way he coached then?
In brief
Guest
Looking forward to Cheka - not so much campo