Matt Giteau begs David Campese to 'stop' destroying his legacy in brutal tweet

World Rugby Hall of Famer David Campese was one of the best and most entertaining players of his generation, and the goose-stepping winger continues to pull in an audience in his role as an outspoken ‘talking head’ now that he has long since retired.

Never one to keep his views to himself, Campese, a star of Australia’s 1991 World Cup win, has been in overdrive with his comments now that the British and Irish Lions tour is well underway, taking aim in particular at Owen Farrell’s late call-up to the touring party, labelling it ‘a weak pick by daddy.’

In his column for Planet Rugby, Campese commented: “For the life of me, I cannot fathom why Andy Farrell would call up an ageing fly-half-cum-centre to replace a classy back-three player.

“Yes, Owen Farrell has been a world-class 10 in his time. Yes, he’s been an outstanding British and Irish Lion. Yes, he’s been a champion of Europe, a World Cup finalist and a Premiership legend. But the ever-present word there is ‘has’,” he said.

“Owen’s form since quitting England and Saracens for Racing 92 has been – well, I’m not sure there’s been any form whatsoever. He’s struggled with the pace of French rugby and the standard of the Top 14, he’s not been able to get any sort of purchase into a style of game that’s run by a production line of world-class nines and he’s left Paris with his tail between his legs and a reputation that’s suffered as a result.

“I also have to question judgment here. I have always been respectful of the Farrell name. This is a weak pick by Daddy – and weak isn’t what I’d expect from them.”

Campese had previously laid into Jac Morgan for being “anonymous’ but then felt compelled to do a u-turn and issue a grovelling apology to the Welshman after his Player of the Match display against Queensland Reds.

I respect Campo as a player and a person but he needs to stop coming out making these silly comments. Doing nothing for his reputation and respect in our game

The more he talks about the game the way he does, the less ppl will remember him for the genuis he was

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— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) July 6, 2025

One former Wallaby has had enough of the trash talk, Matt Giteau taking to X to vent his frustration at Campese’s verbal volleys.

Giteau, who won 103 caps for Australia, wrote: “I respect Campo as a player and a person, but he needs to stop coming out making these silly comments. Doing nothing for his reputation and respect in our game.

“The more he talks about the game the way he does, the less ppl (people) will remember him for the genius that he was.”