Nathan Grey - Skills Coach at the Rebs

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I would have thought Campo would have been the total opposite: a brilliant player who wouldn't be able to translate it into communicating with the players.

 

[Joe Mac]

Macqueen seems to be king of strategy. He wouldn't of hired him unless he could add serious value

 

[Lee Grant]

I would have thought Campo would have been the total opposite: a brilliant player who wouldn't be able to translate it into communicating with the players.

Me too, but I was at a school coaching clinic about 15 years ago and a young relative of mine at Pittwater House said he was going to be coached by Campese and NFJ at the school; so I lobbed to see what was going on. The boys had a practice game and Campo watched them, then called a halt. He didn't bag the boys who were limited players but told just about every lad how he could improve - and he was spot on; for I had seen the lads play.

Then he gave them simple drills and a hoot of a fun practice game that the Wallabies had used in his day, so they could work on what he had told them.

I never knew that Compo's brain was so agile and as such I have never really questioned his comments as a journo.

There were a lot of young kids there, and parents, and he made sure that he signed every autograph that was asked of him.

There is a lot more to tell about that coaching session but it is not relevant to what we are talking about; but another thing I remember as I type this is that NFJ could not show up so a mate of his came in his stead to help out with the coaching.

His mate became a useful coach. His name was Ewan MacKenzie.

 

[Joe Mac]

Does Campo not want to be in coaching then? I find it hard to believe with his reputation and his alleged abilities that he isn't already in at least a Super 15 post... We need more guys like this in the system.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Campo started the year with the Two Blues at Parramatta and is now working with Syd Uni if the threads are to be believed.

 

[Lee Grant]

I doubt if he has the attributes to be, or the interest in, being a head coach. His interest and usefulness would be more in the skills and backline coaching areas - and I doubt if he would be involved in a job that had him clocking in 11 months out of 12. I see him more as a fixer and/or a short term contract man.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Does Campo still have his coffee shop and Canterbury store in the Rocks?

A mate was telling me that it is no longer there.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Me too, but I was at a school coaching clinic about 15 years ago and a young relative of mine at Pittwater House said he was going to be coached by Campese and NFJ at the school; so I lobbed to see what was going on. The boys had a practice game and Campo watched them, then called a halt. He didn't bag the boys who were limited players but told just about every lad how he could improve - and he was spot on; for I had seen the lads play.

Then he gave them simple drills and a hoot of a fun practice game that the Wallabies had used in his day, so they could work on what he had told them.

I never knew that Compo's brain was so agile and as such I have never really questioned his comments as a journo.

There were a lot of young kids there, and parents, and he made sure that he signed every autograph that was asked of him.

There is a lot more to tell about that coaching session but it is not relevant to what we are talking about; but another thing I remember as I type this is that NFJ could not show up so a mate of his came in his stead to help out with the coaching.

His mate became a useful coach. His name was Ewan MacKenzie.

In light of other comments on this thread, that all starts to make sense. People can really surprise you at times and good on him for it. I read some of his trenchant commentary in the press at times and thing he's being a little harsh, but knowing what I know now, I'll pay more attention.

I would imagine that NFJ would be a very good person for a young guy to talk to about the game. I met him once as a young man and he made a huge impression on me and not just about my footy.

 

[Jnor]

Campo started the year with the Two Blues at Parramatta and is now working with Syd Uni if the threads are to be believed.

I've seen Campo around the Arena at Uni probably once a week for the last few months and always in Uni training gear. So I would suggest he is definitely doing something. What it is, I have no idea but skills would be my best guess.

 

[Bruce Ross]

I've seen Campo around the Arena at Uni probably once a week for the last few months and always in Uni training gear. So I would suggest he is definitely doing something. What it is, I have no idea but skills would be my best guess.

He has been doing a lot of skills work, particularly kicking, throughout the season, but I understand his major focus is on developing a Sevens program for both men and women.

He believes that at the top level Sevens players should be specialists; which is interesting because he was a superb exponent of both forms of the game.

 

[Jnor]

I was going to add "Bruce?" to the end of my last post, obviously I didn't have to.

I still don't really get 7's; I guess I still see it as a bit of a sideshow to the main event. I doubt there are any kids who grow up wanting to plays 7's for Aus rather than for the Wobs...
Would Campo be in the minority in advocating specailisation for players of the shorter form?

 

[RugbyReg]

I was going to add "Bruce?" to the end of my last post, obviously I didn't have to.

I still don't really get 7's; I guess I still see it as a bit of a sideshow to the main event. I doubt there are any kids who grow up wanting to plays 7's for Aus rather than for the Wobs...
Would Campo be in the minority in advocating specailisation for players of the shorter form?

that may change now its in the Olympics. Guys like Brett Stapelton and (perhaps) Clinton Sills may (have been) be 7s specialists.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

How many passports can you fill up on the IRB World 7's circuit?

Travel and plenty of it seems a guarantee if you make the squad. This will be attractive to the younger players before they start to settle down.

 

[Newb]

could be the only way some lads ever get to represent the country based on their skill set, playing style, and the fact that the big boys don't usually participate. and as HJ says, great opportunity to see what's out there.