In a recent column, rugby legend David Campese shared his thoughts on the Wallabies’ remarkable victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park, a win that has rejuvenated their Rugby Championship campaign. Campese, known for his candid opinions, admits to enjoying a generous serving of humble pie in light of the team’s performance.
“OK, so I’ll admit, I’m sitting here in the Brisbane sunshine eating copious amounts of humble pie. And, given the performance by the Wallabies, it’s actually the sweetest of pies and I don’t mind swallowing the lot!” Campese writes, reflecting the joy and surprise felt by many fans and pundits alike.
The Wallabies’ Triumph
The Wallabies’ victory was not just a win on the scoreboard but a testament to their style of play. Campese, who played during an era of Australian rugby excellence, emphasized the importance of maintaining a legacy of exciting, heads-up rugby. “Like it or not, I came from an era of Aussie excellence; my teammates from back then and also me take it incredibly personally when the Wallabies don’t excel,” he stated.
Campese praised James O’Connor’s performance at fly-half, a position he had advocated for O’Connor to occupy during the Lions series. “JOC was superb in his directness, his ambition and that wonderful 35m left hand pass to set up the Max Jorgensen try,” he noted, highlighting a pivotal moment in the match.
Playing the Wallaby Way
The victory at Ellis Park was a showcase of the Wallabies’ traditional style of play, characterized by fast, intuitive counter-attacking rugby. “It was fantastic to see Australia deliver exactly that in Jo’burg,” Campese remarked. The Wallabies capitalized on South Africa’s errors, particularly in the face of Fraser McReight’s defensive efforts, allowing them to exploit broken field play.
“South Africa played into the Wallaby hands. They’re a team looking to increase their width in attack, to get more tries on the board and to run touchline attacks better,” Campese explained, noting how the Springboks’ approach inadvertently provided opportunities for the Wallabies.
Building on Success
The confidence gained from this victory is expected to bolster the Wallabies’ campaign. Campese stressed the importance of remembering not just the result, but how it was achieved. “The confidence this will deliver to the squad in general, and the embedding learning, will be huge,” he emphasized.
Campese also highlighted the potential for further development within the team, pointing out the excellence of players like O’Connor, Len Ikitau, and Joseph Suaalii. “We got full value out of the nine shirt from Nic White and Tate McDermott, two players that shone during the Lions series,” he added, noting the depth and talent within the squad.
Looking Ahead
As the Wallabies prepare for a rematch against the Springboks, Campese anticipates a strong response from the world champions. “Next weekend sees the fixture repeat itself and Australia can expect the biggest of backlashes from the proud world champions,” he warned, while remaining optimistic about the Wallabies’ chances.
Campese concluded with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the team’s achievement. “Again, with a belly full of that delicious humble pie, I make no apologies for the passion and emotion in my words leading up to this Test,” he wrote, expressing his pride in the Wallabies’ performance and their adherence to the “Aussie way” of playing rugby.
The Wallabies’ victory at Ellis Park has not only reignited their Rugby Championship campaign but also reaffirmed their commitment to a style of play that has long been a hallmark of Australian rugby. As they look to build on this success, the team’s focus will remain on maintaining their dynamic and intuitive approach to the game.
