'Thought I was losing it': Jock Campbell surprises himself with 2026 form

Thanks to his grandmother, Jock Campbell hasn’t been able to ignore the hype around a potential Wallabies return.

The Queensland Reds fullback laughs it off but admits, after allaying fears that “getting old” had robbed him of his pace, he’s ready if called on next month.

Campbell, who turned 31 in May, is readying for an aerial barrage in Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final against the Chiefs on what’s expected to be a cold, wet Hamilton night.

He’s riding a fresh wave of confidence, though, buoyed by the fact that his pace has returned after an off-season slowed by hamstring and back issues.

“I have got faster, and when you feel it coming back, it’s a snowball of confidence,” Campbell told AAP.

“There were a couple of years there, I kind of thought I was losing it because I was getting old.”

Campbell played four Tests on the 2022 European tour under Dave Rennie.

He started against France, scoring a try and sending Lalakai Foketi on his way for an incredible full-field effort, but fell off a tackle as the hosts scored the match-winner in a 30-29 loss.

Campbell then defied a midweek illness to start in a loss to Italy, then came off the bench as Australia came from behind to beat Wales.

Rennie was sacked after that tour, with Eddie Jones’ arrival triggering a wave of change and sending Campbell back down the depth charts.

“It was a hell of an experience and a bit of a whirlwind 24 months for all players really, not just me,” he said.

“But it gave others opportunity … bad for some, good for others, and that’s just sport.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

59 - 34

36 - 32

42 - 12

21 - 31

42 - 22

45 - 24

31 - 33

19 - 14

21 - 31

30 - 21

4

Wins

3

1

Streak

2

29

Tries Scored

20

81

Points Difference

17

1/5

First Try

1/5

1/5

First Points

1/5

4/5

Race To 10 Points

3/5

Brumbies fullback Tom Wright was in sizzling form before suffering a long-term knee injury on Wallabies duties last year.

In his absence, the Wallabies haven’t nailed down an option and, ahead of next month’s home Tests against Ireland, France and Italy, Wright is yet to recapture his best since returning.

Good form has naturally thrust Campbell back into the conversation, a fact he’s aware of thanks to his proud family.

“I try not to read too much, but my grandma might have flicked some articles on to me; they’re big fans of mine,” he said.

“But I’d back my ability if I ever get a chance again, and Joe (Schmidt) is a good communicator, to be fair.”

Reds coach Les Kiss, who will take over from Schmidt after those three July Tests, said Campbell’s improved contact work in tackles had added another layer to his game.

“He turns little moments into something,” Kiss said.

Australian teams are 0-21 in Super Rugby finals played in New Zealand, with the Reds losing there in each of the past four years.

“We haven’t got over that hump, and if we didn’t again it would feel a bit empty,” Campbell said.

“But I’ll show a bit of restraint in talking about how we’re different this year.

“It’s all about actions; we’ve just got to go and do it – and a few times if we want to go further, not just once.”