Aussie footy legend David Campese criticizes ‘ignorant’ Wallabies stars for joining thrilling attack just for the money

Outspoken rugby legend David Campese has accused modern Wallabies stars of not understanding what their gold jersey represents – and believes many are just playing for the money.

Campese, 62, has never been shy about speaking his mind – which is why the 1991 World Cup winner believes he has been shunned by countless Australian journalists in recent years.

Not that “Campo” is losing sleep over his perceived disapproval; what worries the decorated winger is that the current Australian team lacks culture.

“If you don’t understand why you’re playing then it doesn’t help,” he told the BBC Sydney Morning Herald before the Wallabies got their start Spring tour in the United Kingdom.

‘It’s about money. She [current players] are well paid. It’s a job. But when you get paid and play for a big country [like Australia]I think you need to have more respect and understanding for why you are there.

‘When I started at the age of 19 I had no idea what I was doing, but I soon learned about the history and culture of the Wallabies.’

Campese also believes he has been ‘cancelled for telling the truth’ and questions why the Wallabies are coached by Kiwi Joe Schmidt, who has ‘no idea about Australian rugby’.

Taniela Tupou was next in Campese’s sights, who raised the prop of playing 80 minutes against England this weekend and ‘growing some balls’.

Outspoken rugby legend David Campese has accused today’s Wallabies stars of not understanding what their gold jersey represents – and believes many are just playing for the money

Taniela Tupou was next in Campese’s sights, who raised the prop to play 80 minutes against England at Twickenham this weekend and also ‘grow some balls’

Crosscode star Joseph Suaalii makes his Wallabies debut at outside center against England – and you can watch the match and all the action from rugby’s Autumn Nations Series live and exclusively on Stan Sport

Meanwhile, England captain Jamie George has admitted Joseph Suaalii is an unknown quantity ahead of his Wallabies debut, but the hosts plan to ensure Australia’s new cross-code recruit ‘knows what Test rugby is all about.’

Suaalii, 21, will play outside center with Len Ikitau on the inside as he prepares for his first match of senior rugby, five years since he last played the code as a schoolboy star at The Kings School in Sydney.

‘Joe Schmidt is someone I am a huge fan of, I respect enormously for his understanding and knowledge and I know that if he [Suaalii] wasn’t ready to play, then he wouldn’t play,” George said.

“So that’s something we have to be very aware of. There is an element of the unknown, but at the same time we need to make sure we are as informed as possible.

‘And we also need to make sure he knows what Test match rugby is all about.’

England assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth added Suaalii is ‘obviously an incredible athlete and talent, and that’s why he came with the reputation and price tag that he has.”