Campese gives his verdict on Schmidt

SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby great David Campese said he changed his mind on current Australia head coach Joe Schmidt.

Campese admitted that the New Zealander was “proving me wrong”.

The 62-year-old Campese was furious about Rugby Australia’s decision to appoint Schmidt, who helped steer his native All Blacks to a runners-up finish at last year’s World Cup.

“I don’t believe we should have a Kiwi coach,” said Campese.

“Joe Schmidt hasn’t won anything. Yes, he might have won a Six Nations [with Ireland], but the World Cup is the ultimate for any sports player or coach, and he hasn’t won anything.

“We always seem to get a coach that has never won anything. We always seem to get the second-best Kiwi coach, never the first-best.”

The former Wallaby wing who scored 64 tries in 101 Tests added: “Joe Schmidt has got no idea about our culture or history.

“We’re mauling the ball from 22 metres out. We don’t do that. That’s not Australian rugby.”

But a few months on Campese took a very different turn after victories over England (42-37) and Wales (52-20) this month.

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Indeed those victories, featuring 13 tries in total, have left Campese calling on officials to offer Schmidt a contract extension through to the 2027 World Cup where Australia are the hosts.

“He [Schmidt] is proving me wrong again,” said Campese.

“It didn’t start well but the players have responded well to the coach.

“He seems to be doing a great job. He is only on a two-year deal until after the British and Irish Lions tour next year. He will do everything he can do in that time.”

Campese added: “There was a rumour that Schmidt was just a stop gap but who knows. If he carries on with the improvement and they do well against the Lions, then they would have to look at a new deal until the World Cup.”

A gifted attacking player in his own right, Campese also forecast a bright Wallaby future for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii following the rugby league convert’s eye-catching Test debut against England at Twickenham.

“What impresses me the most about him is that he is not a selfish player,” Campese said.

“He got the ball and did what he had to do as a centre with his passing and offloading.

“He demonstrated that he is a team player…He has learned rapidly and he is only going to get better.”