Wilkinson calls for bravery

Dead men walking...

Wilkinson calls for bravery

PA Sport
Sunday, September 30, 2007 - 09:38 AM (AEST)

England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson has called for his teammates 'to play with courage' when they renew their fierce World Cup rivalry with Australia.

The Wallabies, still smarting from losing a World Cup final against England in their own back yard four years ago, are hell-bent on exacting revenge.

Wilkinson, whose dramatic late drop-goal swayed a gripping Sydney showdown England's way, will be among a handful of red rose survivors from that unforgettable November night likely to start in Marseille.

World Cup history is littered with titanic struggles between two of the sport's most bitter enemies.

Australia won the 1991 final at Twickenham, then England ended its reign as champions in Cape Town four years later before Wilkinson and company struck gold by breaking Wallaby hearts amid scenes of excruciating mental pain for the 2003 host nation.

Marseille's Stade Velodrome now awaits another gladiatorial fight to the death.

But the very fact that England has extended its hold on the Webb Ellis Trophy into another week is an achievement in itself.

Teetering on the brink of elimination following a World Cup record 0-36 loss to South Africa a fortnight ago, bonus-point victories over Samoa and Tonga have breathed new life into England's campaign.

The Polynesian double-header, labelled cup finals by England head coach Brian Ashton, saw his team score 80 points and eight tries, with Wilkinson booting exactly half of them to move just five behind all-time record World Cup points scorer Gavin Hastings.

Had Tonga triumphed at Parc des Princes last night, England would have made an ignominious exit as the first Rugby World Cup holders not to reach the quarter-finals.

But wing Paul Sackey's second successive try double, plus touchdowns from Mathew Tait and Andy Farrell - his first Test score since switching codes - saw England home 36-20.

"I think a couple of weeks ago it was looking pretty tough for us in the pool phase," Wilkinson admitted.

"We had two games to go and two games to win against guys clearly showing they could play some serious rugby, so to come here and win, we are over the moon with that."

"They (Australia) have the best record in World Cups."

"They show more than anyone that they can do it when it counts, and they have got the players and everything you need for a world-class team."

Meanwhile, Jason Robinson claims he is confident of being fit for the match.

The fullback suffered a hamstring injury in the defeat against South Africa, and it was thought that at the age of 33 he was unlikely to be able to play a significant part in the remainder of the tournament - after which he is to retire.

But after England clinched its place in the last eight with a hard-fought win over Tonga on Friday, he is insisting he will be there to help them go one step further in the defence of their title.

Oh frack, means they are going to try and bore us to death. Go the Wallabies!!!!!!!

Four years on, England are a different deal

John Connolly | September 30, 2007

Once again we are playing England in a Rugby World Cup. First and foremost, our motivation is to win this tournament. There has been quite a bit of talk about our defeat to them in the 2003 final but the topic hasn't got a mention in the Australian camp. That loss happened four years ago and there has been a lot of water under the bridge since then.

We've played them many times since and the current English team bears little resemblance to the one that lifted the trophy. But, while revenge hasn't been discussed, I'm sure in the back of the minds of the players that loss will provide a little extra motivation when we run out against them.

The game has changed a lot since the last World Cup but there are a couple of things we can count on. For starters, you know what you'll get when you play England and we shouldn't get too many surprises in terms of playing style.

One thing they will be looking to do is to take every scoring opportunity that comes to hand. They have one of the best drop ball exponents in Jonny Wilkinson and every time they get within range it will be an option. He showed glimpses of his best form against Tonga and will need to be watched very closely. Coaches have been told a penalty will be called very quickly and referees are playing far less advantage. Luckily for us Berrick Barnes is also very good with the drop goal and will play a key role.

Another thing England have in their favour is their backline. They have probably the fastest outside backs in the tournament. Paul Sackey and Mathew Tait have speed to burn and there's talk Jason Robinson might be fit to play us in the quarter-final. And when it comes to the forwards, they are always steady.

They have a competent scrum with a good front-rower in Phil Vickery, who was based in Australia in 2005. Hooker George Chuter is a very good lineout thrower, Simon Shaw is a big, hard-working character with a lot of experience and Ben Kay and Stephen Borthwick are very good lineout callers.

There are many solid contributors in the back row, including Martin Corry at blindside flanker. We won't be taking them lightly. While the English generally play a very tight game, they are nowhere near as conservative under coach Brian Ashton, compared to Clive Woodward.

For the Wallabies, it's about finding the line between attack and defence. We have been averaging well over 30 points a Test for the past 12 months, which is testimony to our ability to score points.

We won't have Stephen Larkham available for us against England, but when one door closes another one opens. Berrick Barnes has made the most of his opportunities and we expect him to again step up. At the start of the tournament everyone agreed Berrick was very fortunate to be selected. But when Stephen got injured the feeling in the camp didn't drop. We knew Berrick was more than capable of filling his spot.

Source: The Sun-Herald

Yup, might as well die with a little honour. Four more years boys...

I'm not particularly worried about anyone with a number higher than nine on his back apart from that radar eared tosser Wilko with his funny kicking style and Frank Steyn-like accuracy, If we can stop them from trucking if up the field at will and kicking 3 points every time they hit the 22 we'll win with a bonus point. If they realise all they have is tractors and a boot then we might be in a bit of bother.


I'mnot tipping they'll be bright enough, but I'd like a book without a spread this week thanks Gerry.....would you mind?

no probs mate

Radar eared tosser Wilko, love it.:iconrofl: Your on fire tonight GIGST.

Think England might need a little more than bravery somehow...

Hey where has luke the pom been hiding?

think johnny is gonna need the bravery, i say we target him with everyspare man available until he cant get up.

"One thing they will be looking to do is to take every scoring opportunity that comes to hand. They have one of the best drop ball exponents in Jonny Wilkinson and every time they get within range it will be an option."

hes their ONLY real option.
take him out in the first 15 mins and use the other 65 to run and get quick ball. swinging it across the field. they wont have any idea how to combat it and we will win.