Campese slammed over sexist tweet

Updated November 28, 2012 22:24:43

Wallabies legend David Campese has apologised after being reprimanded by Federal Sports Minister Kate Lundy for questioning whether a female newspaper journalist should write about rugby.

Campese tweeted that a "girl" shouldn't be covering rugby and then later dug the hole deeper as tried to defend his stance by saying he meant female journalists weren't as tough on coaches.

In the original tweet posted on Wednesday morning Campese referred to Fairfax journalist Georgina Robinson, who is covering Australia's current tour of Europe.

"Why does the smh get a girl to write about rugby. Growden who was a great jornio (sic) and now we have someone who has no idea about the game!" was the tweet from Campese's official Twitter account.

"Growden" is Fairfax's long-time rugby writer Greg Growden who took redundancy just over a month ago.

Senator Lundy also took to social media to voice her displeasure at Australian rugby's record tryscorer comments.

"Female players, mums, sisters, partners of #rugby players, in fact everyone expects better from @DavidCampese11", she tweeted.

That was followed up from Campese with "yes I am sorry for the comment".

His day didn't get much better when he then tweeted his phone number to his 8000-odd followers when he tried to direct message the number to one of them.

A vocal critic of Australian coach Robbie Deans, who is under pressure due to the Wallabies' roller-coaster form, Campese tried to explain his initial comment.

"I was trying to say is that the coach is under pressure and sometimes males give it to the coach as some females go a lot easier on them," he wrote.

Campese deleted the original sexist tweet but was unable to use his famous goose-step to avoid the criticism.

Wallaby flanker David Pocock, in Cardiff preparing to make his comeback from injury in the weekend's season-ending Test against Wales, condemned Campese for the comment.

"Really sad to see journos attacked based on their gender. Or a grown woman referred to as a 'girl' #destroyingthejoint," Pocock wrote.

Former dual international Wendell Sailor also criticised the comment.

"Well good morning to u Campo & I have to say u are on ur own with this comment it's 2012 champ," Sailor tweeted.

Former Australian Associated Press journalist Margie McDonald, now with The Australian, was the first female to cover a Wallabies tour back in 1988, when Campese was a member of the side.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, wales, australia

First posted November 28, 2012 11:19:40

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Deans fine with Campese criticism

Updated November 16, 2012 10:39:58

Robbie Deans says he'd gladly have David Campese hand out Wallabies jerseys before a match again despite the champion winger declaring the coach should be sacked for "destroying Australian rugby".

Campese launched a scathing attack on Deans this week, telling the UK newspaper The Telegraph the New Zealander was the "worst thing to happen to Australian rugby".

Deans is under enormous pressure going into the Test with England at Twickenham on Sunday (AEDT) following last weekend's 33-6 loss to France.

The Wallabies have failed to score a try in their past two Tests and have scored just 12 in as many Tests this season.

Deans said on Thursday the general criticism of the team was fair enough under the circumstances.

"We're not happy with our performance either, so it's understandable," Deans said.

"People are entitled to their opinion. It's part of the territory.

"It's great that David's passionate about the game still and particularly the Wallaby jersey. But I really don't want to comment any further."

Campese earlier teed off on Deans.

"Deans has destroyed Australian rugby and I want him to go," said Campese, who scored 64 tries in 101 Tests.

"We've got a team at the moment that can't catch and can't pass.

"Wallaby teams in the past were never like this. Anyone who knows anything about Australian rugby knows what it's famous for - loops, angles, switches, counter-attack, creative play. Where's all that gone? We can't even pass properly.

"I just want him to go. He's the worst thing that has ever happened to Australian rugby."

A classic Wallaby, not Campese, will hand out the jerseys to the team before they take to the field at Twickenham.

Deans said Campese would always be welcome in the dressing room while he was in charge.

"I got Campo to do it in 2008 in Durban. And I would love to have him back," he said.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia

First posted November 16, 2012 07:35:37

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