David Campese Bio

David Campese is a modern great of the game and one of the finest wingers to ever lace up a pair of boots. During his distinguished career, he was capped 101 times by Australia and he captured the Rugby World Cup with his country in 1991. David Campese was inducted into the RugbyPass Hall of Fame in 2021.

Although he is best known for his achievements on the international stage, David Campese enjoyed a highly decorated domestic career in rugby’s amateur era. Between 1980 and 1999, he represented many of Australia’s top sides, including New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory at state level. Between 1981 and 1983, he also won three consecutive grand finals with the Queanbeyan Whites. He then followed this with eight grand final victories with Randwick.

As well as representing many of Australia’s top sides, David Campese also spent nine seasons in Italy. During this time, he won the Italian title on five occasions while playing for Petrarca Padova and Amatori Rugby Milano.

However, David Campese undoubtedly saved his best performances for the Wallabies, who he represented with distinction between 1982 and 1996. During this time, he also made appearances for the country’s Rugby Sevens teams.

David Campese’s greatest moment arguably came in 1991, when he won the Rugby World Cup. After the final, he was also named as Player of the Tournament. During the tournament, he scored six tries. When he retired from international rugby in 1996, he was the leading test try scorer of all time. However, this record has since been overtaken.

After his retirement from all forms of rugby, David Campese embarked on a coaching career. He’s also launched his own academy and recently moved into rugby punditry.