Wallaby legend David Campese calls for a return to the old ways

Hunter overturned a five point half-time deficit to defeat the Kookaburras 10-5 in the under-12s final while Central West withstood a late challenge from the home side to win an enthralling under-14s decider 14-5.

There was some consolation for the Kookaburras at the selection table with Lachlan Dietrich, Reeve McLean, Josh Briggs, Ed Montgomery, Don Watkins and Ryan Witherdin named in the Country under-14s squad.

Among those watching the over 500 youngsters showcase their talents over the weekend was Wallaby legend David Campese.

The 1991 World Cup winner, once proclaimed by Alan Jones as "the Bradman of rugby", was on hand to assist the coaches and impart some of his knowledge.

Known for his genius and unpredictability, Campese has long-lamented the rigidity of the way the game is played and focus on structure.

"I think we've got to try and instill what Australian rugby used to be like, how we used to win, the flair, the unpredictability, the attack instead of this smashing it up all the time - it's not Australian rugby," he said.

Getting back to that starts with the generations playing on the weekend, and he encouraged the coaches to allow the kids to try things.

"My motto is that you've got to get kids to fail because the more they fail the more they'll try," he said.

"You've got to allow the kids to if they see an opportunity go for it, if it doesn't work well learn from it."

"The only way to learn is by making mistakes and trying."

He also spoke about putting the power back in the players' court.

"I told a lot of the coaches here: 'at half-time don't tell the kids what they're doing, you say okay captain what's happening, what's happening out there you tell me, well you fix it - we can't play'," he said.

"Hopefully they can start doing that and then the kids can start to understand the game a bit more, and take a bit more responsibility."

Travelling around the country for the last 12 months, one of the biggest concerns from what he has seen is the ability, or lack there of, to perform basic skills under pressure.

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It's a problem that extends all the way to the top, and something Campese believes the Wallabies need to improve if they are to be contenders at this year's World Cup.

"I think we've got to solve a few problems off the field first and then make sure it's all focus back to playing the game. Even at that level I think our skills are letting us down a lot," he said.

"The simple opportunity where you can pass a ball to someone and score a try, just little things, and I think if we can just get that back on track. I mean the game is a simple game but we are making it so complex at the moment."

On the flip side he said it was encouraging see so many kids enjoying the game on the weekend, one of which was son Jason. He suited up for the Illawarra under-12. Campese also attended last month's TAS Carnival, which attracted over 1000 young rugby enthusiasts.

"There's some really good young players [at the championships] so hopefully they keep developing as well," Campese said.

Growing up in Queenbeyan he also spoke about the importance of not forgetting the country areas. He recalled in his early days, under Jones, playing a trial at Singleton and a game in Wauchope.

"That's [the country] where rugby really started in Australia so I think we should always look after where things started and the grass roots," he said.

The winger, whose 64 tries is still the most scored by a Wallaby, will be back in Tamworth again next month.

He is the guest speaker for the Tamworth Thunderbolts' Sportspersons Dinner on June 14.

Tickets to the dinner are $100 and include a two course dinner and entertainment.