‘Records don’t bother me at all’

Press, 11 July 1983, Page 38

‘Records don’t bother me at all’

NZPA Sydney Australia’s reluctant hero, David Campese, scored a world-record-equalling four tries as the Wallabies thrashed the American Eagles 49-3 in the rugby test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. The brilliant 20-year-old utility back matched the record set by the Wallaby breakaway, Greg Cornelsen, in the third-test victory over the All Blacks at Auckland in 1978. Campese shrugged off his astonishing feat with a nonchalant: “So what? Records don’t bother me at all ... I play for Australia, not myself.” With a little luck, Campese could well have broken Cornelsen’s record and another set by Paul “The Boot” McLean last year. On the same ground, McLean notched 21 points — an Australian individual test record — in the 33-9 win over Scotland. Campese took over the kicking duties early in the second half from the fullback, Roger Gould, who was forced off with a thigh injury after landing four conversions. But the youngster booted only one conversion from four attempts and fell three points short of McLean’s mark.

In all, Australia swept over for a record nine touchdowns, three more that the Wallabies’ best try-scor-ing effort, against Scotland in Sydney in 1970. The point-scoring spree shattered yet another record — it was the highest winning margin by Australia against any country, eclipsing the 37-7 drubbing of Japan in Sydney in 1975.