Change the rules, pleads Campese

Former Australia Test star David Campese believes changes in the rules of the game may be necessary to stop others copying the approach of “boring” England.

Campese, a long-standing critic of Clive Woodward’s team and their tactics, urged the International Rugby Board to consider ways of encouraging running rugby.

England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson kicked all his side’s points in the 24-7 World Cup semi-final win over France to book a place in the final against Australia, and Campese was not impressed.

He wrote in his column for The Times: “It [the France win] was all kicks and their win only reinforced my belief that for infringements around the rucks and mauls, where so many offences occur, free-kicks should be awarded rather than penalties.

“The scoring should also be looked at. The value of a try was put up to five points to encourage running rugby, but teams such as England don’t care. Bang three points, bang three points. That’s all they do. There has got to be entertainment in the game.

“All right, rugby people may understand why penalties are awarded and are important, but to the floating fans taking a look at the game, they will want to see tries.”