David Campese - Hit and Miss in 1983

Hit and Miss in 1983

1983 was a year of mixed results for Campese. His good form continued against the USA, where he scored four tries in a formidable 49–3 win for Australia. Australia hosted Argentina for a two test series when they were outclassed by an immense Argentine scrum in the first test, resulting in a 3–18 loss.

Campese however, was dazzling with his efforts in the second game. So much so, that then established Australian fullback, Roger Gould (who did not play in the game due to injury) confessed to feeling a "chill wind" as he watched the match on television. Campese and Mark Ella linked together to create the try of the series. Playing at fullback, Campese beat two defenders who had him hemmed in on the sideline. He beat the second (Bernardo Miguens) with a well executed goose-step. Bob Dwyer remarked that of all Campese's tries, that was the one to remember. In his book, The Winning Way, Dwyer wrote of Campese's effective goose-step,

"An Argentine defender had Campese well covered, but when he moved in to tackle him, Campese did his famous goose-step. The change of pace deceived the Argentine so comprehensively that he dived into touch, clutching thin air. The referee, the Welshman Clive Norling, was so impressed by this that he went up to Campese as soon as he had scored and told him it was the best try he had ever seen."

Campese was less impressive against New Zealand in their one-off match in 1983 despite setting Simon Poidevin up for a try. Entrusted with the goal-kicking duties, as well as the fullback role, Campese failed to manage a single success in four attempts at the sticks. This was in contrast to New Zealand's Allan Hewson, a renowned sharp shooter in front of the sticks, who managed five from six attempts at the goals. Bob Dwyer later said: "If we had been able to take even the conversion points it would have given us heart." Australian captain Mark Ella seriously contemplated replacing Campese and attempting the kicking duties himself, but he later reflected: "Who's to say I'd have done any better?" Campese summed up his disappointment by exclaiming in his autobiography: "I felt like kicking myself but I probably would have missed." Campese's positional play, as fullback, was also found wanting in the game, as All Black centre Steven Pokere's kicking found Campese out several times.

It was Campese's first experience in being a target for criticism in the media. He recalls in his book, My Game Your Game:

"My first bitter experience was in 1983, when we played the All Blacks at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a one-off Bledisloe Cup game. My general play was fine, but we had gone into the game without a recognised goal-kicker. Our regular fullback Roger Gould was injured and yours truly was given the job. None out of four was the end result and the All Blacks won the Test 18–8, despite Australia scoring two tries to one. The press had a great time with that one."

Campese redeemed himself against Italy in October 1983, when a day after celebrating his 21st birthday, he managed to land three conversions and a penalty. Dwyer suggested that Campese have another try at kicking after sensing he was in good form. On the test eve Dwyer stated: "If David starts well, he'll kick well all day. But conversely, if he starts badly, then that's the end of him." Campese continued with the kicking responsibilities in a series against France, but played a diminished role in the games as Australia elected a less expansive style of play. The safety-first style of rugby was not one suited to maximise the capabilities of the tricky winger.