A former State of Origin star has offered to take a Married At First Sight bride out on a date – and the reason has nothing to do with romance and everything to do with reputation.
Former Canberra Raiders captain Terry Campese is the current head coach of the Townsville Blackhawks in the second-tier Queensland Cup.
He stepped into the MAFS drama after a throwaway comment about Townsville triggered a wave of backlash after Bec trashed the city as a honeymoon destination.
The 139-game NRL veteran represented NSW in Origin and was part of Australia’s 2008 World Cup squad.
Now he has made it clear he believes the city he now calls home deserves better than being reduced to a punchline.
Campese has been head coach of the Blackhawks since 2024 and guided the Hostplus Cup side to a top-four finish in 2025.
Terry Campese has offered to take MAFS bride Bec Zacharia on a Townsville date after she mocked the city
Bec laughed at Townsville as a honeymoon destination, comparing it unfavourably to her week-long Fiji getaway
Bec (pictured) later admitted she had never visited Townsville and had to use Google to find out where it is
More than that, he has embedded himself in the community.
On Instagram, he regularly shares sunrise hikes up Castle Hill, fishing trips along the North Queensland coastline, boating days around Magnetic Island and glimpses of the relaxed lifestyle that defines the region.
Townsville is not simply where he works; it is where he has chosen to build his life.
So when Bec Zacharia laughed at the city during a fiery dinner party episode, Campese decided to respond publicly.
‘I will show her around town and she’ll love [Townsville] by the time she leaves,’ he said.
The controversy began when the couples compared their honeymoons.
Gia Fleur and Scott McCristal revealed they had stayed at the five-star Ardo hotel in Townsville.
Bec reacted with a snarky tone that quickly spread beyond the show.
Campese, now the coach of the Blackhawks team, said he will prove Townsville’s charm with a sunrise Castle Hill date
Another MAFS star defended Townsville after Bec (pictured) mocked the destination during their explosive dinner party clash
Campese’s proposed itinerary includes Magnetic Island, secret waterfalls and dinner at Terasu restaurant
‘Gia and Scott went to Townsville, not Fiji,’ she said.
‘I’m sure they had a nice time, though.’
Bec later admitted she had never visited the city.
‘Because I’ve never been to Townsville, to be honest with you, I had to Google where it was,’ she said.
She subsequently described it as ‘beautiful’ and offered a public apology on Star 106.3’s breakfast show with Adam and Donny.
‘Look, it’s less about Townsville and more about Gia and Scott in that moment I think, but I have to give you a sincere apology,’ she said.
In a bid to make amends, Bec proposed flying to Townsville and going on a date with the radio hosts so she could ‘tell you all the things I love about Townsville.’
It was at that point Campese’s name entered the conversation.
With the breakfast duo both in relationships, the idea of a more suitable host emerged, and the former Raiders captain did not hesitate.
Pressed on what his version of the date would look like, Campese delivered a carefully curated itinerary.
‘I’m Mr. Romantic … so a nice early sunrise up Castle Hill, and then jump on a boat to Maggie [Magnetic] Island, hopefully there’s been a little bit of rain and the secret waterfall is out,’ he said.
‘Go and have a picnic lunch, over there, come back freshen up for a beautiful dinner at [local Japanese restaurant] Terasu.’
