This time last year Terry Campese was preparing to make his State of Origin debut for NSW.
Today he'll be recovering at home following his starring role in the Canberra Raiders' 22-14 win over St George Illawarra at Wollongong's WIN Stadium.
Campese displayed the masterful form that earned him last year's NSW cap, playing a role in each of the Raiders' four tries to help Canberra upset the ladder leaders.
Canberra's stand-in skipper ran the ball with authority, kicked with intent and directed his team with aplomb. If he'd played as well during the Raiders' nine previous games he probably would have been wearing the No6 jersey for the Blues on Wednesday night instead of Manly's Jamie Lyon.
But while he admitted he still yearned to play more Origin football after being discarded after just one appearance last season, Campese said yesterday's performance had nothing to do with making a statement to the NSW selectors.
''That's what every kid wants to do, play Origin,'' Campese said.
''Last year was one of the best moments of my life playing in game one.
''I was disappointed not to be there in games two and three but I've just got to put my energy into the Raiders and if that comes it comes. We're outside the top eight so we have to get a few wins together.
''That's what my focus is at the moment.''
Before yesterday Campese, much like his team, had enjoyed a solid, but not brilliant start to the season.
He'd led the Raiders around the park ably, but too often failed to come up with the big plays when they were needed.
Yesterday he was back to his best.
He set up the Raiders' opening try with a big left-foot step, which caught the Dragons' defence off guard and enabled hooker Glen Buttriss to cross for his first try in the top grade.
Campese also played his part in a second-half Raiders purple patch which yielded three tries in seven minutes to set up the win.
It was his kick that Dragons winger Michael Lett knocked on, paving the way for Joel Thompson's try.
He then had direct involvement in tries to Jarrod Croker and Josh Dugan.
For more on this story, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times.
Source: The Canberra Times
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