Terry Campese

Terry Campese

Campese playing for the Raiders in 2008
Personal information
Full name	Terry Campese
Born	(1984-08-04) 4 August 1984 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Height	183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	101 kg (15 st 13 lb)
Playing information
Position	Five-eighth, Halfback, Hooker
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2004– Canberra Raiders 96 23 124 1 341 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2008 Australia 1 0 0 0 0 2008 Prime Minister's XIII 2009 New South Wales 1 0 0 0 0 2009 Country Origin 1 0 0 0 0
Source: NRL Stats, [1] As of 14 June 2011

Terry Campese (born 4 August 1984 in Queanbeyan, New South Wales) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer, of Italian descent for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League competition. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative five-eighth, he is also the nephew of rugby union legend, David Campese.

Biography

Campese in action for Canberra

Campese grew up playing both league and union and always believed he would follow his uncle David in the 15-man code. However the advice of Neil Henry helped persuade him to join the Canberra Raiders youth set-up and turn down offers from Randwick DRUFC (where David is a club legend) and the Brumbies Academy.

Campese made his first-grade debut during the 2004 season, appearing 4 times. He made a further 5 appearances in 2005, playing at five-eighth or lock. Injury destroyed his campaign the following year and in 2007 Campese struggled to show consistent form, playing 12 games as Canberra preferred to use Todd Carney at five-eighth and Michael Dobson at halfback. After Dobson departed 2 games into the 2008 season, Carney shifted to half back and Campese was given an opportunity to stake a claim at five-eighth.

The turning point in the career of Terry Campese came 2/3 of the way into the 2008 season when his halves partner and friend Todd Carney was released for disciplinary reasons. Until now Campese had been contributing to the Raider’s sporadic success but Carney was the dominant playmaker. He stepped into the shoes and with the added responsibility and freedom began a series of dominant displays as memorable as they were devastating. For example, Campese scored 36 points in round 22, 2008 against the Panthers with 10 goals and 4 tries. He had a chance to equal Mal Meninga's record of 38 points with a simple kick from in front of the goal posts but unknowing at the time halfback Marc Herbert took the kick. Canberra won the game 74–12. 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. He finished the season first in line-break assists (25) and 4th in try assists (25), and added 10 tries and 40 goals.

However it was almost not to be for Campese at the Raiders. The club tabled a contract extension in 2008 which was withdrawn as the Raiders attempted to sign Trent Barrett. After Barrett's signing with the Sharks, Campese came back into the frame and signed a 2 year contract extension (after interest from the Melbourne Storm). He began his devastating run of form almost immediately after re-signing. Campese is contracted to Canberra until 2015.

After a strong season in 2008, Campese was voted the best five-eighth of the year and was just three points off winning the Dally M Medal. He was also his club's top point scorer.

In 2009 the Raiders did not make the finals but Campese continue build on his skills and was named in the City vs Country game and State of Origin.

Then in 2010, Campese was named co-captain with Alan Tongue as Tongue had many injuries during the year and Campese was one of a few senior players. He helped lead the Raiders into the finals at 7th position. Campese lead the Raiders to their first semifinal victory in 10 years with a win over the Penrith Panthers, but were knocked out a week later to the Tigers. In the Tigers game Campese went off with an injury which would see him out of action for 9 months. He returned in Round 13 2011 against the Cowboys. However, he re-injured himself with a groin injury after an attempted tackle. He will be out of action for the rest of the 2011 season.

Representative career

Campese earned selection in the Prime Minister's XIII and was subsequently named in the Australia squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Campese played in one game, the group match against PNG. During the first half he suffered an eye injury, which saw him unable to finish the game as well as ruling him out of the rest of the tournament.

He was selected for Country in the City vs Country match on 8 May 2009.

In May 2009, Campese was named in the 17 man squad to represent New South Wales in the opening State of Origin match on 3 June 2009, in Melbourne.

Campese was dropped after the first game which saw the Blues lose 28-18 and ultimately the series.

Career highlights

• First Grade Debut: 2004 – Round 2 vs Penrith Panthers at Canberra Stadium, 19 March
• State of Origin Debut: 2009 - Game One vs Queensland at Etihad Stadium, 3 June

External links

• Terry Campese NRL Player Profile