There wasn’t even a Player of the Tournament award at the World Cup until David Campese ruled the 1991 edition so completely.
While rugby literature will now always pinpoint All Blacks flanker Michael Jones as the worthy Player of the Tournament in 1987, there was nothing official at the time.
The Roar is counting down the Wallabies’ Greatest World Cup XV of all time from No. 15-1 with thanks to thousands of votes from our readers.
The tournament was still finding its place in the world when it unfolded for the first time. The Player of the Tournament only became a thing when Campese and Jonah Lomu (1995) made it so.
The “Wizard of Oz” was perfectly coined for “Campo” and his deeds at the 1991 showpiece.
He was its biggest star from the first side-stepping, catch-me-if-you-can moment when he scored his first try against Argentina in the Wallabies’ opening pool game in Llanelli.
David Campese. Russell Cheyne/Allsport
There was no easier selection for The Roar’s Greatest Wallabies RWC XV than “Campo” on the wing. Simply, Campese set the benchmark for the code’s biggest players stepping up on its greatest stage.
There were times in Campese’s career when his starch in defence was questionable and he made errors he’d like to repair under the high ball. But in 1991, everything clicked.
His masterclass in the semi-final victory over the All Blacks in Dublin will be recounted as long as the World Cup is played.
For some, it started before the kick-off. “Campo” wheeled away from the main body of Wallabies and didn’t face the haka. He preferred his own space well behind the warrior challenge.
You have to remember, the All Blacks had never lost a World Cup match to that point across two editions.
Firstly, Campese left the great John Kirwan stranded with a try on a glorious diagonal run to the corner with a body feint and dummy.
Better was to come. His angle when swooping on the bouncing ball from a perfectly weighted Michael Lynagh kick set up one of the best tries in World Cup history.
Campese turned All Blacks winger John Timu inside out with a couple of quick sidesteps before deceiving him a final time. He looked left and then dished a no-look pass over his right shoulder to the ever-present Tim Horan for a memorable try. The Wallabies were off to the final.
Campese scored six tries for the 1991 tournament to go with the four of 1987. He actually played at a third World Cup in South Africa in 1995 when the Wallabies made an early exit.
Campese had plenty of takeaways from what winning the 1991 tournament meant to him and the Wallabies. Here is one.
“More people knew you and it just means more people are out to smash you in the next Test you play,” Campese said.
“Each Test you run out you are world champions and every game you go out you have to prove it. I feel very fortunate to have played in a great era for Australian rugby.”
Fans feel fortunate to still be able to relive some of the magic of 1991.
It was Campese’s flip of the ball back to Lynagh that was the last pass in the try that engineered the great escape…the 19-18 quarter-final win over Ireland.
“You have to get through your close calls to be successful at World Cups,” Campese reflected.
“We had ours in the 1991 quarter-final against Ireland. When Ireland scored late my mum back home in Queanbeyan turned off the TV because she thought we’d lost and our World Cup was over. We won on the bell.”
David Campese is your choice of No.11 for The Roar’s Greatest Wallabies Rugby World Cup XV, powered by ASICS, the Official Performance Apparel and Footwear supplier for the Wallabies. Campese won with 56.3% of the vote, followed by Joe Roff and Marika Koroibete. Check back tomorrow to find out who was selected at No.10.
The Roar’s Greatest Wallabies Rugby World Cup XV
- Fullback: Matthew Burke
- Right Winger: Ben Tune
- Outside Centre: Stirling Mortlock
- Inside Centre: Tim Horan
- Left Winger: David Campese
Fox
Roar Guru
All true Ben but his defence IMO would be an even bigger Achilles heel in the modern game - by that i mean i doubt some aspects of his game would improve that much if he even was in the modern game., At times his D was simply - and yes I know its a bit cruel - but at times it was pathetic - he was like a clothesline that just got turned around. I would love to see him marking Will Jorden or Kolbi - That would be worth the price of admission alone.
Bearswanatah
Roar Rookie
As a kid watching the Randwick v Gordon GF one year at Concord… Campo had the chance to throw a quick line out after a clearing kick from Gordon on his 22… his opposite winger was about 20m away on the other side of the field. Like a magician knowing their routine, smug that no-one knows how the magic happens, he picks-up the ball, turns and faces the crowd, then without looking throws a one handed ‘torpedo’ pass backwards whilst not looking and hits his opposite winger on the other side of the field. I would take Roff in a pressure situation, but Campo was magic.
We Play Now
Roar Rookie
I had the privilege of watching Kirwin v Campo a couple of times on the Eden Park terraces as a kid. They were great battles - and good memories.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
No player from his era would stand up physically in the modern era. In a hypothetical it is silly to assume that David Campese, transplanted to 2023, would play in exactly the same manner as he did in 1991. Like thinking that a modern day player, put in the amateur era, would have the same physique and approach they do now.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Campo, undisputed the best Wallabies winger ever and one the the world's best players. Talent, flair, passion and unpredictability made his an exciting player to watch. Campo and that 1991 team is legendary, is the reason I fell in love with rugby.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I picked Joe Roff but I was wrong. You’re right Jim, we’re picking a WC Best XV and you can’t ignore a player of the tournament. I’m giving myself an uppercut
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Yeah that All black team was heading to victory regardless and Martin may well have called for the pass but it was a shocker lol but he was great player for us and we desperately need another one.
MO
Roar Rookie
Nz were always winning that first World Cup and one of your references was to silly pass where the other player called for it but even so for a guy who didn’t tackle we did ok.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Cost us chance to win inaugural WC,nearly cost us quarter final against Ireland ,arguably cost us Lions series 89...Who cares carved up the kiwis alot and kept there mouths shut for a while especially Kirwans..
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Kick the ball nearly 80 metres with a strong lineout..defence poor no doubt but all added up pros well outweighed cons.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Very similar both could run thru on a line untouched...rarity angles they possessed.
MO
Roar Rookie
I don’t remember campo actually letting a lot of tries in but I love the story from Hong Kong 7s ? where everyone was covered in mud except him he fell over or something and someone from the crowd leapt the fence and handed him a towel
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Larkham will probably get up in vote, just due to age factor. But that’s okay , it’s just a bit of fun. Happy to have seen both play.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Who, other than Tempo, would have thought a kid straight out of Gregory Tce would last in the Qld team, let alone have the career that he went on to have. In fact, Tempo had a habit of that. Two other names that come to mind are Loane and Flately.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Yeah 10 is hard. Ella is out because it’s World Cup. Lynagh played in centre to Ella for Grand Slam. That moment In Ireland trumps Larkham I my opinion. Because everyone thought we were done -except for the cool Head of Lynagh, I am much older than him , but some of the things he did on field were freaky when I watched him play as a youngster.
jeznez
Roar Guru
We’ll find out tomorrow! Two good uns, whichever way the vote falls.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Captaincy and try. He called the kick long, following clearing kick by opposition so it’s our put in, then spin. Word perfect to completion. Larkham was just a kick/ I was there and it is the best game I’ve seen live by Australia. But Lynagh over Larkham.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing:
jeznez
Roar Guru
Great bit of captaincy by Lynagh with Farr-Jones off the pitch. Won’t beat out Larkham’s drop goal though!
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
G’day jez. As I have heard and understand it, the try against Ireland actually started under the sticks where Michael Lynagh called the team together, calmed them, then outlined how they would score that final try for the win. Great leadership, but the players then had to be good enough to follow through.