Johnny Wilkinson: In imperious form
Toulon fly-half Johnny Wilkinson believes his side's work ethic is the reason for their successful start to the season.
Wilkinson was in imperious form as he kicked 26 points and set up two tries to help Toulon consolidate their lead at the top of the Top 14 table with a convincing 46-13 victory over Perpignan on Sunday.
The former England pivot was on target with six penalties and four conversions for a 100 percent kicking ratio.
But the player who won the 2003 World Cup for England with an injury-time drop-goal also showed the full array of his passing skills with two monster skip-passes to set up Samoa-born winger David Smith for a brace of tries.
"We worked hard tonight," said Wilkinson.
"In each match, from the start of the season, we've given everything we've got.
"But we know that that continues from tomorrow morning. This win is a good way to finish the year but we await the next match and we'll have to win that one as well."
Comments
APV1 says...
If you read his autobiog, you'll see how obsessed he is. It's quite a revealing and frightening read, actually.
Still the best 10. Ever. And, yes, I do consider DC as the 2nd best 10 ever. And that's an argument which will rage for millenia.
Lions Tour? I think so. But let's see how the national 10s go in the 6N and see if any step up. Sexton is going backwards, imo, so needs to have a storming 6N. Burns, Flood, Farrell..? Hodgson seems to be the in-form 10 in the AP, so there's a consideration too.
Posted 11:10 02nd January 2013
firepower says...
he's the best fly-half ever. Go Jonny!! you're a legend.
Posted 20:33 01st January 2013
kybone says...
For me he gets into the Lions squad on current form. Then they should do as the Lions usually do and select the players that rise to the top in the midweek games. I wouldn't bet against Wilko having a number 10 on his back come the first test.
Posted 10:12 01st January 2013
heart_of_oak says...
Sorry but no, chaps. Though I'm English and have a high regard for Wilkinson, I think Sexton will - and should - go and be the number one choice at the moment. Possibly Freddy Burns could get a look in. Priestland and Laidlaw seem to have gone off the boil a bit. Farrell isn't getting enough game time at Sarries. So the choices are limited. Wilko could go in a coaching capacity perhaps.
I'm frankly more interested to see if Steffon Armitage gets selected. On current form he ought to go.
Posted 23:27 31st December 2012
NHsaints says...
It's a really tough call but you'd be tempted to take him as the third choice Lions Fly half so he can help Sexton + the other ten going to handle themselves on the tour...
Posted 16:53 31st December 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Tvaddict. Spot on.
Posted 16:45 31st December 2012
TVaddict says...
Not everyone will agree that he's one of the best players to have ever graced the game, but surely all true rugby fans must agree he is one of the best, if not the best, role model in the game? Such an inspiration. A player who epitomises hard work, self sacrifice, and the principle of never giving up.
Posted 13:27 31st December 2012
Centre12 says...
2013 Lion!!!!!
Posted 10:18 31st December 2012
BananaBok says...
Get him into the Lions squad, he's earned it, absolute legend of a player still able to play at the highest level.
One of the true greats of the game, and never got involved in the whole media/celebrity side of things that a lot of lesser players have (hi Henson, Cooper, and Cipriani, how's the form looking?)
Posted 09:59 31st December 2012