As wing pairings go, the left-right combination of Joe Roff and David Campese have few peers.
Blessed with speed, strength and silky skills that illuminated top tournaments, the Australian duo – with 187 caps and 94 tries between them – were devastating against defences the world over.
Now Roff believes the Wallabies will soon have a couple who will be every bit as explosive as they once were, and provide the X-factor to inspire them to World Cup glory for the first time since 1999.
From September 11, the ACT Brumbies’ Fijian-born flier Henry Speight will become eligible to play for Australia and could team up with the irresistible Israel Folau during the forthcoming Rugby Championship.
“It won’t be a gamble to play Henry, not at all,” says Roff, who has seen Speight flourish for his own former club Brumbies since joining in 2011.
“Coach Euan McKenzie must be rubbing his hands together waiting for Henry to become eligible and you will see him come onto the scene spectacularly.
“He’s an exceptional player, incredibly gifted and had an amazing Super 15 series. The combination he might be able to form with someone like Israel Folau is mouthwatering for rugby spectators.
“What they have is a desire to test their arm, to take the chance and back themselves. Then they have the ability to back it up athletically and it creates a momentum and a positive attacking play that permeates throughout the team.
“I think they are the next [Jonah] Lomus and Campos in terms of what they can achieve and the impact they can make. What I hope is they stay long enough in the rugby game to do just that.”
With Australia’s NSW Waratahs beating Canterbury Crusaders to win the Super Rugby title, Roff is excited, admitting such optimism for the Wallabies hasn’t been there for about “five or so years” during tougher times.
The Rugby Championship, which starts on August 16 when they host world champions New Zealand, will help indicate whether it is false hope or the dawn of a new era.
“The Super Rugby teams have been very successful this season, but more so we are seeing some world class game-breakers with Australia,” says Roff, 38.
“New Zealand are still the benchmark in the Rugby Championship, but there’s a real sense of optimism that these players are ready to come out fighting and put on a good show against them, South Africa and Argentina.
“There are some new players emerging, but genuine world class. I hope it’s a new era, but we have been talking about the potential in Australia for a long time. Still, I think this is different. I think Euan understands the players, the game, what it is to be a Wallaby, and this has got the makings of being a great side. They really need to test their character in this Rugby Championship.
“They are still up against it. No player in this side has touched the Bledisloe Cup so when your backs have been up against the wall for so long eventually that dam breaks.
“There will be no lack of motivation, desire, and with Dan Carter not playing for New Zealand at the start through injury, and two of the Bledisloe games against the All Blacks here in Australia, the opportunity can’t be better, the stars can’t align any better.
“Euan will be wanting to lock in his starting 15 and his squad and then work with them to get the combinations right to win the World Cup next year.
“I’ve always said the World Cup is not the side in the month leading up to it, but around 12-18 months beforehand because that’s when coaches put their faith in the players.” While Folau and Speight may be the more obvious matchwinners, the depth of talent, especially in the backs, within the Wallaby ranks now runs deeper to leave McKenzie with better, enviable, options for the challenges to come.
In helping the Waratahs to club success, fly-half Kurtley Beale also took another massive step to redemption after his past personal and disciplinary problems.
“I think we are seeing the best of him finally, we definitely have with NSW,” added Roff. “Kurtley’s been fantastic this season, a beautifully-gifted player. As with all gifted players like that they are slightly flawed at times and he’s been up and down the past few years, but in a good place at the moment.
“It’s going to be fascinating how the coach fits Beale, Matt Toomua, Bernard Foley and Christian Lealiifano into one or two positions. I’m not sure how you settle on that because there’s real talent there.
“The fact we now have international-standard players to fill the gap if there are injuries or poor form is a good thing for Australian rugby.”
Roff is desperate for Australia to rise back to the top. Their Rugby Championship triumph in 2011 was their only one in 13 contests, while victory over France in 1999 was the last of their two World Cup wins.
Roff was there for the latter – and four years later when Jonny Wilkinson and England sunk them with that famous drop goal.
He ended his international career at 29, just 14 caps short of a century, but adds: “Numbers don’t mean a lot to me, it was more about the experiences. I learnt from Pat Howard about being a collector of experiences, friendships, and all of the travels.
“I played in a golden era, crossed over from amateur to professionalism. I squeezed so much out of rugby and it gave me so many opportunities. So there’s no regrets from me.”
*Joe Roff will be at The Sports Brunch, alongside Jim Rosenthal, Scott Gibbs and Jeremy Guscott, on Friday, August 22,at 13:30 at the Velocity Entertainment Lounge, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. Contact David Skidmore on 050 4258625 or david@eventoursports.com for more information.
