David Campese facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
David Campese
AM

Campese in Fiji, March 2020
Birth name	David Ian Campese
Date of birth	(1962-10-21) 21 October 1962 (age 62)
Place of birth	Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Height	180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	89 kg (196 lb)
Notable relative(s)	Terry Campese (nephew)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing, Fullback Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1981–1985 Australian Capital Territory () 1982–1986 Queanbeyan Whites () 1987–1998 Randwick () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 1984–1988 Petrarca Padova () 1988–1993 Amatori Rugby Milano () Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1987–1998 New South Wales 34 (84) Super Rugby Years Team Apps (Points) 1996–1998 New South Wales Waratahs 22 (30) National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1982–1996 Australia 101 (320) National sevens team(s) Years Team Comps 1983–1998 Australia Teams coached Years Team 1998 Singapore 2005–2007 Sharks (assistant coach) 2010 Tonga sevens

David Ian Campese, AM (born 21 October 1962), is a famous former Australian rugby union player. Nicknamed Campo, he played for the Australian national team, the Wallabies, from 1982 to 1996. During his career, he played 101 international games, called "Tests," mostly as a wing or fullback.

Campese was known for his exciting style of play and his special move called the "goose-step." This was a kind of hitch-kick he did while running, which often confused opponents trying to tackle him. He was a key player in many of Australia's biggest victories.

After retiring in 1996, he became a media commentator and public speaker. For his amazing contributions to rugby, he was awarded the Order of Australia in 2002.

Early Life and Career

David Campese was born in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia. As a child, he played rugby league, a different code of rugby. When he was 16, he took a break from rugby to focus on golf.

In 1979, he played his first game of rugby union for the Queanbeyan Whites. He quickly showed his talent and was selected for the Australian under-21 team in 1981. This was the start of his journey to becoming one of rugby's greatest players.

International Career with the Wallabies

Campese's career with the Wallabies was full of incredible moments and achievements. He was known for scoring many tries and helping his team win important trophies.

First Years and Grand Slam Tour

Campese made his debut for the Wallabies in 1982 on a tour of New Zealand. He scored a try in each of his first two Test matches. In 1983, he scored four tries in a single game against the USA, a record at the time.

In 1984, he was part of the Australian team that toured Britain and Ireland. They achieved a famous "Grand Slam" by defeating all four home nations: England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. This was a huge achievement for Australian rugby.

Winning the Bledisloe Cup

The Bledisloe Cup is a famous trophy played for by Australia and New Zealand. Campese was part of the Australian team that won a Test series in New Zealand in 1986. This was a rare feat, as New Zealand's All Blacks are very hard to beat at home. He also helped Australia win the Bledisloe Cup in 1992 and 1994.

1991 Rugby World Cup Victory

One of Campese's greatest moments came during the 1991 Rugby World Cup. He was in amazing form throughout the tournament. He was the top try-scorer with six tries and was named the "Player of the Tournament."

In the semi-final against the New Zealand All Blacks, Campese played one of his best games. He scored a brilliant solo try and set up another with a famous no-look, over-the-shoulder pass to his teammate Tim Horan. Australia won the match 16-6.

Australia went on to beat England 12-6 in the final to become world champions. Many people believe that without Campese's incredible skill, Australia might not have won the World Cup.

A teammate once confused the city of Nice in France with Campese having a "niece" there.

Breaking Records

Throughout his career, Campese broke many records.

• In the 1987 Rugby World Cup, he broke the world record for the most tries scored in international rugby.
• In 1992, he scored his 50th career Test try against South Africa.
• In 1996, he became the first Australian player to play in 100 Test matches.

He retired from international rugby in 1996 with a total of 101 caps and a then-world record of 64 Test tries.

Rugby Sevens Career

Campese was also a brilliant rugby sevens player. Rugby sevens is a faster version of the game with only seven players per side. He played in the famous Hong Kong Sevens tournament 12 times. He helped Australia win the tournament in 1983, 1985, and 1988. In 1988, he was named the Player of the Tournament.

He also captained the Australian sevens team at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, where they won a bronze medal. His skill and speed made him a perfect player for the fast-paced sevens game.

Club and State Career

Besides playing for Australia, Campese had a successful career with his local clubs. He played for the Queanbeyan Whites and later for Randwick in Sydney, winning many championships with both teams.

He also played professional rugby in Italy for nine years. He played for Petrarca Padova and Amatori Milano, winning the Italian championship five times.

Legacy and Honors

David Campese is remembered as one of the most entertaining and talented players in the history of rugby. His exciting running and "goose-step" move inspired many young players.

He has received many awards for his achievements:

• 1997: Inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
• 2002: Made a Member of the Order of Australia.
• 2007: Inducted into the Australian Rugby Union Hall of Fame.
• 2013: Inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame.

Many experts and former players consider him one of the greatest rugby players of all time. His impact on the game is still felt today.

See also

In Spanish: David Campese para niños