Super 14
Super 14 needs a bit of Campo magic
Russell Barwick, ESPN Sportscenter Australia
April 7, 2009
Australia Sevens assistant coach David Campese looks on during training, April 6, 2008
David Campese is keen to coach at Super 14 level © Getty Images
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I interviewed David Campese the other day and he said he wanted to coach at the Super 14 level. He said the current lot of coaches are mainly school teachers and guys who have level 3 coaching certificates who think they know everything, but know very little because most have never even played the game. This coming from a bloke who thinks he knows everything.

I say that knowing that Campo, love him or hate him, did play 101 Tests for Australia and is considered by many as one of the greatest ever Wallabies. So would he be a good coach, and why isn't he coaching already?

Well I think we can all agree that he is outspoken and has, as we say in Australia, ticked a few blokes off in his time. But what has he said that is so wrong? He questions the lack of flair and ability of some of the modern players, and he questions the new rules saying the game is worse now than when he was playing. Hands up if you don't agree? Hands up…c'mon…anyone? No, I didn't think so.

Campo may have said some bizarre stuff in his time but let's face it , if he was playing cricket and racked up 100 tests before anyone else did, his name now would be Sir David Campese. I know he said that Michael Lynagh kicks too much, and it was reported he said George Gregan was famous for one tackle but can anyone tell me when you didn't watch a game that Campo played in?

The question has to be asked, would it hurt to try? Could Queensland do with a bit of Campo magic? Would the Tahs' Kurtley Beale and Sam Norton-Knight be better off with Campo in their corner? What about Lote, Timana, Ryan Cross, Mark McLinden? Could the ex-league boys learn how to goosestep Campo style? The Brumbies made their name in the early days because they had flair and imagination, where is that now?

So,yeah, I reckon he would make a good coach. Whether he will get a chance to show remains to be seen because of course most of those people he ticked off when he was playing, both teammates and officials, are now running the game and in the grand ol' game of rah rah...one never forgets.

While I'm at it…

The Chiefs should have gone out and bought a lotto ticket on Sunday after their great escape against the Lions. If ever there was a team who had read the papers too many times the previous week it was the Chiefs. As the flag bearer for New Zealand in the Super 14, the Chiefs got way ahead of themselves taking the Lions way, way too easily. It was only a little bit of magic in the final quarter which got them over the line…which makes you think how good they will be when they really get going. Memo to the coach Ian Foster - don't let the lads read the paper anymore.

And another thing…

I told you weeks ago the chances of Phil Waugh staying in Australia were zero, in fact I encouraged him to leave. The money was and is too good and he wasn't wanted by the Wallabies hierarchy, who now find themselves in a massive pickle with Waugh certain to sign a deal to play overseas.

Rocky Elsom has said no, he's not coming back, after reportedly saying he would. George Smith may do likewise and head overseas meaning we (I'm an Aussie) are potentially going to lose a back row with around 450 tests and Super 14 games between them.

One last bit…

The Western Force train wreck continues to run out of control and don't let their big win on the weekend fool you. Half the team have indicated they want to leave and the other Super 14 franchises are sniffing around hoping to pick the eyes out of the players that want out.

The inquiry into the coach at the start of the year came up with the wrong solution. If it needed to have an independent inquiry, one should have worked out that there was something seriously wrong in Dodge City.

© Scrum.com
Russell Barwick is a presenter for ESPN Sportscenter in Australia

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