Its all in the name for Terry Campese
November 4th 2008 08:08
Terry Campese is all set to make his test debut for the Kangaroos in their third world cup clash against Papua New Guinea. After leading the Canberra Raiders to the most unlikely of finals births this season, one of the most significant surnames in Australian sport is about to make its mark in Test football.
Although Terry is yet to rise to the heights of his great uncle David Campese, his performance in the NRL this season has provided the building blocks for the Raiders half to perhaps rival the achievements received by his uncle, himself often considered as the Wallabies greatest ever player.
Indeed Terry making his debut this week for the Kangaroos is a step in the right direction for the 24 year old. Campese will come in at five-eighth replacing Australian captain Darren Lockyer, who will be rested until the semi-finals.
Campese joins Manly premiership winners David Williams and Anthony Watmough in making their debut for Australia, while new Dragons winger Darius Boyd also gets his maiden run.
Although Williams in particular seems to be the obvious feel good story of season 2008, Campese's rise from just a mere first grader to test footballer has been remarkable, considering the club he led to the finals this year were at short odds to get the wooden spoon.
His form really blossomed near the climax of 2008, when he was employed with the majority of the playmaking responsibilities due to Todd Carney's misdemeanours off the field which ended his career at the Raiders.
Even though many predicted Canberra would struggle without Carney, Campese took his departure as an opportunity to dominate his opposition.
Unfortunately for the Penrith Panthers in one gloomy Sunday afternoon at Canberra stadium, Campese perhaps stood as tall as his legendary uncle, scoring 36 points against Matthew Elliott's men, falling two short of the record still held by league great Mal Meninga.
He had a chance to equal Meninga's record of 38 points with a simple kick from in front of the goal posts. Halfback Marc Herbert however took the kick which rounded up a devastating 74-12 win.
That result provided Campese with the fuel to lead himself, and the Raiders to an outstanding sixth position finish on the NRL ladder, considering their player roster was corrupted by injury and ill-discipline.
He assumed the goal kicking duties and became the side’s main attacking point as Canberra finished the season second only to Champion’s Manly in point scoring.
At seasons end, Campese finished the year as one of the most prolific offensive players in the NRL, finishing first in line-break assists (25) and 4th overall in try assists (25).
His achievements in 2008 awarded him the Dally M five-eighth of the year award and he was just four points off winning the Dally M Medal.
With his career now heading north faster than Australia‘s scoring rate, Campese will be looking to consolidate his new found aura of success when he represents the Kangaroos in the world cup.
If Campese can repeat the form that has garnered him acclaim for Australia, maybe he will indeed stand side by side with great uncle David as one of Australian sports finest family products.
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