Wallaby greats Matt Giteau and David Campese engage in ugly social media war of words

Two of the country’s finest ever Wallabies have engaged in an ugly war of words over Australia’s hopes in the upcoming series against the British and Irish Lions.

Rugby legend David Campese has fired back at fellow Wallabies star Matt Giteau after being accused of trashing his own reputation by making inflammatory comments about players, coaches and selections in the lead up to Australia’s series against the British & Irish Lions.

Fed up with Campese’s constant criticism of both the Wallabies and Lions, Giteau laid into Australia’s 1991 World Cup hero with a fiery message on his social media account.

“I respect Campo as a player and a person but he needs to stop coming out making these silly comments. Doing nothing for his reputation and respect in our game,” Giteau posted on X.

“The more he talks about the game the way he does, the less ppl (people) will remember him for the genius he was.”

I respect Campo as a player and a person but he needs to stop coming out making these silly comments. Doing nothing for his reputation and respect in our game

The more he talks about the game the way he does, the less ppl will remember him for the genuis he was

— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) July 6, 2025

Never one to take a backward step, Campo immediately returned serve when he was told about Giteau’s dig at him during a lively interview on top UK radio station talkSPORT.

“Who’s that?” Campese cheekily asked about the fellow Queanbeyan product. “OK, I know who he is.

“Everyone’s got an opinion. I’ve got my opinion. He’s got his opinion, I don’t really care.

“The last time I spoke to Matt Giteau was 2015, so I’ve got no idea where he is, what he’s doing, and I don’t really care. That’s my opinion.”

Matt Giteau and David Campese chatting at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Picture: Getty

The trigger for the fallout between the two Wallabies’ stars was Campese’s comments about the selection of veteran inside back Owen Farrell in the Lions’ squad, being coached by his father Andy.

Initially left out off the playing roster because he hasn’t played a Test match in nearly two years, Owen surprisingly got called up when fullback Elliott Daly broke his arm against Queensland.

Accused of nepotism and worse on social media, Andy Farrell has strongly defended the decision to choose his son, but Campese said it was a bad look, writing in a column for Planet Rugby: “This is a weak pick by Daddy.”

Owen Farrell is watched by his father and Lions head coach Andy Farrell. Picture: Getty

While Australia’s all-time leading tryscorer was far from alone in questioning the selection, he told talkSPORT he definitely wasn’t going to change his opinion because of what Giteau thinks of him.

“I said before the team was picked that he’s going to pick his son and what’s happened,” Campese said. “At least I got something right.

“I look at things very differently to a lot of other people. I’m not saying I’m perfect, but I’m just saying that that’s what I think.”

Twenty years older than Giteau, Campese, 62, also laughed off claims he just shoots his mouth off to upset people, saying he was from a time when playful sledging was the norm.

“That’s my era, so why not?” Campese said. “The thing is, I always get a reaction. Isn’t that the whole idea of it?

“I hope he’s well. Hope he’s enjoying his retirement like everyone else.”

Australia narrowly beat Fiji in a warm up match for the British & Irish Lions. Picture: Getty

Campese also took aim at the Wallabies’ coach Joe Schmidt and Rugby Australia for arranging just one warm-up match before the series, against Fiji, saying they had left the Test team badly underprepared for the enormous challenge ahead.

The Wallabies did get out of jail with a last minute try to secure a 21-18 win over Fiji on Sunday but it was a sloppy performance which suggested they’ll have their work cut out being ready to face the Lions in the first Test on July 19.

“It wasn’t a fantastic hit out,” Campese said.

“But some of those guys haven’t played for four or five months, which is ridiculous. And then you’ve got to turn around in 10 days time and play an international rugby game. Why wouldn’t we have played a game earlier?

“Joe Schmidt, he’s the coach. He knows that (the Lions) have been coming for the last couple of years. So now he’s saying, ‘oh look, we’re underdone’ and all that.

“Everyone knows, (Joseph-Aukuso) Suaalii has had almost a broken jaw a couple of months ago. (Max) Jorgensen hasn’t played for six months. Why are you picking them? There’s other guys who are good enough to be there.

“At that level, combinations are vital and I can see with the wallabies the combinations weren’t there.

“It’s no one’s fault, it’s just our fault that we haven’t prepared properly.”

Originally published as Wallaby greats Matt Giteau and David Campese engage in ugly social media war of words