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from your favourite and mine-GREG GROWDEN CHIEF RUGBY CORRESPONDENT
June 12, 2010
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...0611-y3h9.html
JONNY WILKINSON, who knows how to beat the Wallabies, believes England can do it again in this two Test series by winning the ''big moments''.
The renowned five-eighth, on his first return to Australia since kicking the field goal that won England the 2003 World Cup final against the Wallabies in Sydney, has been bombarded with interview requests since arriving in Perth. All have been refused, except those from the host broadcaster in England.
In an interview to be aired in Great Britain on Sky Sports before the Test tonight, Wilkinson, who will sit on the England bench, was asked what it took to beat the Wallabies and whether England's squad had ''what it takes to win in Australia''.
''In terms of being confident about playing Australia, we have the right to be confident, for sure,'' Wilkinson said.
''But that's all we had before those games that we've won over here. We've also had the right to be confident here in games we've lost.
''Against teams like this you earn the right to go in there to be competitive, to dig in, but the game is ultimately built on the cumulative effect of big moments, and the momentum which is built up through that.
''We have what it takes to be massively competitive and to know we can win this game, much the same as they [Wallabies] do. But we still need to go out there and string together all the right things and make the right decisions to try to bring that around. That never, ever comes easy.''
Wilkinson can understand the locals being obsessed with him, especially his involvement in the 2003 World Cup triumph.
''I can understand it. It has a different effect on me. We are in an environment now where you are judged on what you do next. That's why it seems such a long time ago. There's been so many highs and lows since then. As with all things, everything in rugby, careers and life itself is very impermanent, and the day after when you play your next game, you haven't got time to mess around with what was or been. You just know it was great to be part of it. But you move on, and hopefully to better things.''
But there are memories, especially in Perth, where England began their campaign in 2003.
''It's strange. It really is strange. It was a really great day, but you do want to move on. Still, I've talked to Johnno [now coach Martin Johnson] a couple of times in the hotel about it, and I've said: 'Wasn't this the old team room?' or by the end of the session, I've realised ''Crikey, this is where we used to train.'
''It doesn't hit you any quicker than that, nor does it matter any more. It's just a flashing thought, and then you realise mentally you need to be 100 per cent into what you're doing now.''
The 31-year-old indicated he was focused on winning back the England No.10 jersey but had to be a bit more careful with his body, as injuries were becoming regular.
''The aim is to always keep improving and getting better. I know roughly what I'm capable of and am hugely ambitious about that.
''But I can't cheat the pace of that and for whatever I've been thrown the last six or seven years, it's all having its effects.
''I'm enjoying where I am and if I keep doing the right thing, I'll hopefully get the right results and get where I want to be. But I'm not in any hurry.''
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dream on Jonny
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