England star Jonny Wilkinson may miss the chance to return to the scene of his greatest moment after being named on the bench for Saturday’s rugby Test against Australia.
England coach Martin Johnson made two changes from the team which went down 27-17 to the Wallabies in Perth last week, but couldn’t find a starting role for the 2003 World Cup-winning hero.
While the ANZ Stadium crowd would no doubt relish seeing the man whose drop-goal won England the William Webb Ellis trophy seven years ago at the same venue, Johnson has stuck with Toby Flood at five-eighth for Saturday’s clash.
Shontayne Hape will also keep his spot at inside centre, with Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes the two players brought into the team named on Thursday.
Youngs will start at halfback in place of Danny Care after making an impression off the bench in Perth, while Lawes comes in at lock ahead of veteran Simon Shaw.
Johnson, the winning captain in 2003, said both players had earned the chance to shine.
“This is a great opportunity for Ben, who has been with us since the middle of the Six Nations – the same for Courtney,” he said.
“Ben brings something different to Danny but it is not a reflection on Danny’s performance. It is just an opportunity to get Ben on the field.
“It is a tough call on Danny, who has not done anything particularly wrong. Simon Shaw certainly hasn’t done anything wrong but Courtney Lawes has really stepped up in the last few weeks since we have been together.
“He is very athletic and gets around the field and is very aggressive.”
Johnson said the temptation to give Wilkinson a starting role had been strong but he had resisted it to stick by Flood.
“There is always a rationale for playing Jonny but we are happy with what we have got with Toby,” he said.
“We can’t give them that many shots. They are a good team and they will get something on us but we made it too easy for them last week.”
Another 2003 World Cup hero, centre Mike Tindall, has recovered from a corked leg to retain his spot but there was no place in the 22-man squad for Mathew Tait, whose seat on the bench has been taken by Delon Armitage.
England side: Ben Foden, Mark Cueto, Mike Tindall, Shontayne Hape, Chris Ashton, Toby Flood, Ben Youngs, Tim Payne, Steve Thompson, Dan Cole, Courtney Lawes, Tom Palmer, Tom Croft, Lewis Moody (capt), Nick Easter. Res: George Chuter, David Wilson, Simon Shaw, James Haskell, Danny Care, Jonny Wilkinson, Delon Armitage.
Allan Battleday
Guest
When are the obnoxious Aussie's Going to save thier none stop bragging and boasting untill after a match?The whole world backs their own country,and any other country that beats Australia. Australia is good at sport,but thats all they can do,not much good at anything else,but has any one in Australia ever heard of MODESTY?Now the Wallabies have been beaten by England,aganist all the comments that they are useless,how does that make you lot look?Tonight if the Shockeroos get thrashed again after all the pre match bragging and bosting,how will they look?
Mr Saunders
Roar Guru
I think that is definitely the theory - an abrasive defender who understands running lines and off-loads well. Too many people have gone with the simplistic assessment that England are looking for two big and conservative midfielders, as opposed to trying out an alternative to a second 'navigator' like Flutey, Barkley or Wilkinson. As an England fan all I want is this: forwards being angry and hitting the ruck, not simply protecting the ball or cluttering the midfield. When that happened in France the backs shone.
Billo
Guest
Hape has been widely criticised in the England team, but he offloads well and is light on his feet. The key to success for England is to keep the ball away from their ponderous forwards in open play. If they can do that, with their scrum advantage they will give us a game.
Joh4Canberra
Roar Rookie
The next Lions tour to Australia is 2013. The current touring pattern of the Lions (bearing in mind it has changed over history and could easily change again with Argentina also keen to get Lions tours on their home turf) is to tour the SANZAR nations every 4 years which means they come to Australia every 12 years (1989, 2001, 2013 etc).
Mr Saunders
Roar Guru
What 'so-called' rebuilding period? It's still occurring for goodness sake. How many English players have over 50 caps?
Apelu Tielu
Guest
Good point TORF. The WC is now the main focus. But one year out of the WC, wouldn't you want to build some psychological capital? So is there any test side taking these tests seriously?
The Other Reds Fan.
Guest
They are blooding backs just like we are blooding forwards. The only problem with the World Cup is that it reduces tests like these to trial games. Johnny will be there for the World Cup because that's when it matters most. The fans are the losers. I for one would like to see more of the old fashion tours. Why they aren't best of three is beyond me. When do the Lions come here next?
TembaVJ
Guest
England have gone backward over the last couple of years, they have shown nothing from their so called rebuilding period only more decline. Its time someone wakes up and fires the biggest mistake in English rugby.