Former Australia wing David Campese is a true great of the game. Brash, arrogant and brilliant, "Campo" bewitched defences and infuriated opponents the world over during a career that took in 101 international caps and 64 tries.

Campese made his international debut against New Zealand in 1982, confounding and irritating great All Black wing Stu Wilson first with his words and then with his goose-step.

The All Blacks had their revenge on Campese the following year when he was entrusted with the goal-kicking at Sydney Cricket Ground, missing all four of his kicks as the Wallabies lost 18-8.

Campese was part of the Wallabies team that recorded a grand slam tour of the home nations in 1984, scoring two tries against Scotland at Murrayfield. The 1987 World Cup was one that got away for Campese and the Wallabies, with Serge Blanco's try for France knocking them out at the quarter-final stages.

Campese's attacking brilliance was often counterbalanced by his risk-taking in defence, and during the third Test between the British and Irish Lions and Australia at Sydney Football Stadium he had his most famous lapse.

When the ball landed in-goal, instead of grounding Campese set off with a mind to counter-attack, only to be confronted by Lions wing Ieuan Evans. He popped a pass to fullback Greg Martin, who was unaware of his intentions as the ball hit him on the shoulder and bounced in-goal. Evans pounced to score and secure the Test series for the Lions.

The reaction to Campese's blunder was so fierce that his brother was attacked in the street and Australian captain Nick Farr-Jones felt compelled to send a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald defending his team-mate.

After his confidence was rocked against the Lions, Campese bounced back at the 1991 World Cup. His "miracle pass" to set up a try for Tim Horan against the All Blacks epitomised his considerable powers of invention and execution. The Wallabies would go on to win the tournament 12-6 against England after some trademark baiting from Campese, and he had successfully left new memories for those who had vilified him years earlier.

Following the tournament Campese was named as World Player of the Year in 1992 and went on to play in his third World Cup in 1995, although Australia were defeated by a Rob Andrew drop-goal at the quarter final stages.

Campese's final game was against the Barbarians in 1996, at a time where the game was turning professional and embracing qualities that Campese had long held for himself. In announcing his wealth to the public, Campese angered amateur purists, but was ahead of the curve in the long run.

Scrum Staff January 2008