Wallabies legend David Campese blasts Test rugby: 'The way things are now, it's a joke'

Former Wallabies winger David Campese, a player known for his care-free approach to rugby, has blasted the state of the modern game.

Speaking to the Daily Mail Australia, Campese believes Test matches have become stop-start affairs where referees and television match officials (TMOs) are ruining the game.

"It's a farce," said Campese.

"The referees think they are the most important person on the field. They think it's about them, but it's not. It's about the game. It's about the players and the supporters.

Campese believes that spectators are simply being short-changed.

"People don't pay their money to watch a referee blow his whistle. They go to watch a game of football. They want to see tries, not penalty goals. It's sad. The way things are now, it's a joke.

"I know I talk about the good old days, but it's hard not to. I'm an old fart, I admit that, but I've always been outspoken, and I can't say things are good if they are not.

"The TMO [television match official] and referees are ruining the game."

Campese played 101 Tests for Australia between 1982 and 1996.

Famous for his "goose step", Campese dotted down 64 times in his Test career.