Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with David Campese

Four Diegos Profile:               

Australian Rugby Union Legend

Achievements:                       

102 appearances for the Wallabies

64 International tries

Diegos Verdict:                       

David Campese used his trademark ‘Goosestep’ to evade fat-necked All Blacks in much the same way Harry Kewell uses the ‘Macedonian Donkey Kick’ to deliver pinpoint crosses.

Boy could we have used this bloke at Montevideo airport in 2001.   

Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with David Campese

Campo on the ‘Goosestep’…

Diegos: “The world’s greatest sportspeople are usually known for their own trademark move or act.

Michael Jordan is known for the ‘Flying Albatross Slam Dunk’, Maradona is known for his winding, mazy, drug assisted runs, Steve Waugh is known for his square drive off the back foot and you are known for the ‘goosestep’.

How did you develop the move and when did you first realize that you had a talent for the ‘goosestep’?”

Campese: “I suppose it all started when I was eight years old when I had two guys coming towards me and I ended up scoring under the posts.

When I looked back these two guys were on the ground having collided. I didn’t realize what I actually did at the time.

In my first test in 1982 against New Zealand the commentators thought that I had made a mess of the opposition winger so they started calling it the ‘goosestep’ because it made a goose of everybody.”

Diegos: “You spent a bit of time in Italy playing rugby.

How did the Italian commentators explain the ‘goosestep’?”

Campese: “Well that’s a very good question.

I never really listened to the commentators but some of my teammates tried it at training and they fell flat on their face so they had to learn pretty quickly that some things could work for some but not for others.

The commentators over there used to get confused every now and then but that was ok they accepted it after a while.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1996

Campo on the growth of Rugby Union…

Diegos: “In the prime of your career in the 1980’s you were offered big money to play Rugby League but you always said that you would prefer to stay an amateur and travel the world.

What has the advent of a World Cup for Rugby Union done for the sport and the profile of its players?”

Campese: “I think you guys got a taste of it with 90,000 people turning up to watch the Bledisloe Cup at the MCG in Melbourne.

When we won the World Cup in 1991 there was a 30% increase in junior registrations following that.

Australians love winners so obviously if you keep on winning everybody tries to follow.

The most important thing is if you know somebody in the sport I think it does help to watch it and take notice of it. If you don’t know anybody it makes it very difficult.

Soccer at the moment is going through a great change and the Socceroos might make the World Cup but you’ve actually got to know somebody in the sport to follow it. ”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1996

Campo on Rugby League V Rugby Union…

Diegos: “Mal Meninga the former Australian rugby league star just recently made his debut in rugby union in the Australian Masters Games.

He scored a couple of tries for the Canberra All stars in its 52-0 win over the unfortunately named Sydney Wingnuts.

Is it an easy changeover from rugby union to rugby league?”

Campese: “Well if you are the size of Mal Meninga, not really.

It is different. There are different skills and techniques.

The players that do make it in both codes are basically backs.

Forwards are pretty big, slow and stupid. They usually give the ball to the intelligent guys who play as backs and then we do all the hard work.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1996

Campo on Rugby jargon…

Diegos: “Rugby commentators always talk about the ruck and maul.

Can you please explain for the Diegos what a ruck and maul is?”

Campese: “Well it’s difficult because it’s pretty dark in there.

When you play against Fiji they actually grab you places where they shouldn’t. In those situations you don’t argue, you just give them the ball.

What happens is if you tackle on the ground and the ball is also on the ground it’s called a ruck. Then the opposition ‘rucks’ you, that is they spit you out the back with the ball.”

Diegos: “Is that the same as ‘stacks on the mill’?

Campese: “Yes something like that.

Then you’ve got a maul, which involves a player standing on his feet and driving forward.

It’s very complicated for people who don’t understand but I can assure you that when the ball is on the ground and there is about 6 or 7 guys on top of each other you don’t want to be on the bottom.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1996

Campo on the 1991 Wallabies…

Diegos: “The Diegos can still vividly remember staying up to watch the victorious 1991 World cup Wallabies in England.

What a great side that was. It included Tim Horan, Jason Little and yourself just to name a few of the stars.

The team was led by the intelligent, rugby academic, that’s how the Diegos like to describe him, Nick Farr Jones.  He was the most unlikely looking rugby captain we’ve ever seen.

How good was that team and how did it compare with other Wallaby teams that you played in?

Campese: “It’s difficult to say. When you have been around for so long it’s difficult to compare because the game does change.

Players have become stronger and fitter in the time that I’ve played.

Rugby is the same in that we went through an era 1981 to 1992 where we actually dominated world rugby. 1991 was the icing on the cake to actually win the World Cup.

I think if you look at that period in the world fifteen we had about 6 or 7 Australian players who were probably the best in their positions.

At the moment we’ve got a very young side with only one or two players that would make the world fifteen.

So when you’ve got a team of champions it does help because you’ve the younger players following the older players. Nowadays the whole team is must younger with less experienced players.

The game has changed. It’s a lot quicker and a lot more physical.” 

Soft Sombrero Moment 1996

Campo on dealing with the ‘Haka’…

Diegos: “Every time we face up to the ferocious All Blacks, the Wallabies have to first deal with the very scary pre-game ‘Haka’.

Australian teams over the years have come up a number of different strategies to combat it.

The Diegos have never been able to understand however, why the Aussies don’t just charge them while they are doing their war dance and start a big punch up?”

Campese: “Well if you guys want to try that you can go ahead.

Good luck and send my regards to Jonah Lomu, that’s if you’re still alive.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1996