BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | International | Campese takes swipe at Sailor

Former Wallaby wing David Campese says Wendell Sailor does not deserve his place in the Australia team to face France on Saturday.

Is Campese right? Have your say

Campese suggested that coach Eddie Jones picked the former rugby league international because the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) had paid a large transfer fee for him.

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"It just seems Wendell has been given a red-carpet ride to Test selection," Campese wrote in The Australian newspaper.

However, Jones defended the decision and dismissed Campese's suggestion that Sailor had only been picked because of financial reasons.

The Australian Rugby Union lured Sailor from rugby league's Brisbane Broncos six months ago.

"Criticism in terms of form and playing ability is fair enough but to say that the ARU put pressure on to select players is an attack on one's integrity," Jones said.

David Campese
Campese won a record 101 Wallaby caps

Campese said Sailor was not yet good enough and that Andrew Walker - another ex-league player - should have retained his place.

"To become a dual international is obviously a great achievement," he said.

"But when you look at previous dual internationals, like Michael O'Connor, they were exceptional players who performed week in and week out.

"I cannot see Wendell in that mould.

"I'm still amazed to think there were players in Super 12 this year who performed consistently at a high standard - like Andrew Walker - and they're overlooked.

Campese added: "Yes, Wendell's big. Yes, he's strong and, yes, he's getting paid a lot of money.

"So maybe we want to see some return on that investment.

"But does all that justify why he's selected? Maybe Eddie Jones can see something I can't."

Campese, a member of Australia's 1991 World Cup-winning side, said now was not the time to be testing new combinations for the 2003 World Cup.


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