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Acutely aware of the threat posed by returning hero Jonny Wilkinson, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has turned up the heat on the England playmaker ahead of Saturday’s grand slam opener at Twickenham.
Deans believes depleted England – with 11 of their initial 32-man squad named last month for the November internationals now sidelined with injury – are infinitely more dangerous with veteran Wilkinson back calling the shots.
The talismanic five-eighth hasn’t started a Test since March last year but has a history of bobbing up to break Australian hearts.
Wilkinson not only famously slotted the extra-time drop goal that sank the Wallabies in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final in Sydney, he also returned from the international wilderness to boot Australia out of the showpiece event four years later with four penalties in England’s 12-10 quarter-final triumph in Marseilles.
“He’s definitely a guy who’s capable of knocking over any opportunities that you give him,” Deans said on Monday.
“He’ll bring a lot of shape to their game. His influence on his peers could be valuable in terms of confidence that he’ll bring to them.”
Wallabies playmaker Matt Giteau – set for his first-ever five-eighth duel with Wilkinson – agreed.
“He steers the team around really well with his kicking game,” Giteau said.
“He’s got a lot of experience; he’s a big-game player. He’s proven that time and time again.”
Deans, though, wonders how long Wilkinson can keep delivering for England when the stakes are so high – or, in this week’s case, when the chips are down.
And he noted the English public’s expectation would be great for Wilkinson’s return.
“I don’t think the expectation – well, the pressure – will be a big deal to Jonny. He’s well experienced. It’s not as though he’s just arrived on the scene,” Deans said.
“But I guess there will be a lot of expectation around him to play to the level, to play to the same standard that he’s renowned for – he essentially won England the (2003) World Cup.
“So there will be from the public perspective a lot of expectation to that end.”
Deans admits the Wallabies haven’t seen a lot of Wilkinson who has been excelling for Toulon in France this season.
“We’ve got some footage there, but we haven’t poured over it yet,” he said.
“But I don’t imagine that he will have changed that much.”
So dire is England’s injury situation that coach Martin Johnson had to delay his team announcement by 24 hours to Wednesday.
“Due to a number of players joining and leaving the squad over the last few days we have not reached a final decision on our 22 for Saturday’s match against Australia,” Johnson said.
Among the key personnel now scratched are six who toured South Africa with the British and Irish Lions in June and July, plus last year’s player of the year Delon Armitage.
But, with the revitalised Wilkinson finally fit and firing again, Johnson remains hopeful of building a side capable of beating the Wallabies.
“We are confident in the group we’ve got,” he said. “It’s a good blend. With the challenges we’ve got this week, we can be very competitive.”
Johnson’s biggest selection headache is fielding a Test-strength front row to replace hooker Lee Mears and props Phil Vickery and Andrew Sheridan, so often the cornerstone of England’s greatest triumphs over the Wallabies.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.