| Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 19 November Kick-off: 20:00 GMT |
| Coverage: Live on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Sounds and BBC Sounds. Live text commentary and match reports on the BBC Sport website. |
Australian rugby legend Dave Campese believes that the modern game faces many problems, the most important being the lack of entertainment value.
After their shocking defeat in Italy, the legendary wing believes that Wallabies will surprise Ireland on Saturday, but is concerned about the match.
Campese, 60 years old, stated that “the game is getting to a stage now where it’s not really entertaining.”
“The sheer volume of box-kicking that we see these days is amazing.”
The lengthy-held misgivings of the 1991 World Cup winner about the direction of his sport were further exacerbated by the 51 minute time it took to complete half the match between Australia and New Zealand in Melbourne.
“You’ve had so many stoppages. New Zealand held the ball for seven minutes. Australia received six. This is 13 minutes 51 of the time that the ball has been in play.
“Is it entertaining?” There are many problems.”
Referees can have too much control
Campese believes that referees are in part handicapped by “ridiculous new laws” and coaches play key roles in the regression of rugby union.
“The laws have transformed the game. The referees are too in control.
“You have Cheslin Colbe, Antoine Dupont and Finn Russell. Willie le Roux and Danny Cipriani are still my favorite, even though he’s getting older …..players that are very creative.
“Those are the guys we need. We need these players to entertain, but unfortunately coaches are those who make the game work because it’s their job. They want to win. They don’t care about how they win.
“I was told by the Wallabies that their game plan is to win the kicking contest because statistics show that the more you kick the more you win. This is not rugby.
Campese’s rugby involvement is limited to coaching children in Newcastle, Sydney, although he insists that he would love to play for the national team. He believes that constant tweaking of the rules has also contributed to the sport’s decline.
“We have Rugby League rules in our game. The goal-line dropout. That’s ridiculous. It’s absurd.
“Why we need to travel to other sports to bring to our sport. We are unique. All sizes can play our game and yet we’ve got people going around trying to change our game…..I don’t understand that.”
Rugby’s declining exposure down Under
The diminishing exposure the rugby union receives down under is of particular concern to Campese, a proud Australian who, despite being born in Italy and raised by an Irish mother, insists that he would not have considered representing any other team.
“We have Rugby League and Aussie Rules available on free-to-air TV. Rugby is pay to view…..kids don’t watch and they don’t know who the players are. It’s just a shame. They are very knowledgeable about other sports.
“And we are slowly becoming smaller.” [also] Because we aren’t entertaining. If we aren’t entertaining in Australia, then we will.
Campese was not concerned about the modern game. However, Campese’s visit back to Ireland brought back fond memories from 1984, when Campese visited the Emerald Isle. It was there that the Wallabies won 16-9 at the Lansdowne Road. This victory was part of the legendary grand slam of victories against the four home countries.
Australia’s midweek team was defeated by Ulster at Ravenhill on Wednesday, 13th November. Campese chuckled this week when he recalls crossing the Irish border in the Wallabies’ bus heading north.
“There was an officer vehicle blocking the bus. This made me think, “This is going be interesting.”
So this guy got on the bus, he has a gun, and a rugby ball. He says: “Is Mark Ella here?” I need your help to sign my ball.
“I love coming here. “I think I played my best rugby Europe because there’s never any pressure.”
Seven years later Campese faced Ireland in a thrilling World Cup quarterfinal at Lansdowne Road. Gordon Hamilton’s touchdown put the hosts in control, and Michael Lynagh’s last gasp touchdown gave the Wallabies victory. They defeated England in the final at Twickenham.
“I have never lost to Ireland.” Campese adds, “Not like the current guys unfortunately.”
“The memories are wonderful because it’s not just the things you remember on the field.
“The World Cup is amazing. We spent two weeks in Dublin and enjoyed the atmosphere, people, and of course the rugby.