PROFESSIONAL SPORTSMEN react to criticism in different ways but Jonny Wilkinson is one of life’s one-offs. Not for him an angry two-fingered response, nor a hastily booked flight to Australia. Instead England’s outhalf, having clung on to the number 10 jersey in an unchanged starting XV for this weekend’s Six Nations game against Ireland, stood before a politely sceptical audience yesterday to insist that media flak effectively keeps him sane.
Initially, Wilkinson’s logic was impeccable as he reflected on the unflattering reviews of his performance against Italy last week. “If you took everything personally, I think we’d all be quivering wrecks on the floor,” he said, sounding as if he was talking from experience. When someone asked, however, whether he had found the Rome post-mortems tough to deal with, his reply betrayed a man whose relentless self-criticism will always outweigh external opinions.
“In a masochistic way, I enjoy that, that’s what life does to me,” said Wilkinson, offering a glimpse into the grim underworld of a tireless perfectionist struggling for form. “As much as you might find it difficult to sleep for the first night or two, that drives me. Over the years that’s maybe been my advantage over other players. Once I’m out on that field I’ve got a really deep desire. If I threw that away I don’t know what I’d become. I don’t think I’d be where I am now. I think the injuries would have killed me off a long time ago.”
The chances of Wilkinson throwing in the towel are non-existent. True happiness, he argues, is never being totally fulfilled. “I’m as unsatisfied as I’ve ever been, in the sense that in every game I’ve ever played I’ve never been satisfied. I’ve been at the same level of dissatisfaction throughout my career. I’ll probably retire as the most unsatisfied player in the world. I don’t mind coming off the field saying: ‘I think I could have done that better.’ ”
As far as England’s management are concerned, the message is loud and clear. Martin Johnson reiterated his belief that Wilkinson – now recovered from the muscle soreness which restricted his training earlier in the week – has been unfairly blamed for the collectively scratchy Italian job.
His attack coach Brian Smith went further, claiming certain former players are pursuing “agendas” and that some general sportswriters “don’t have the expertise to be critiquing Wilko”.
In Smith’s view, English rugby should be less dismissive of their World Cup winner. “I don’t think people have given Wilko credit for his performances. I’m not sure he’s being analysed properly. Some of it’s driven by people with their own agendas, some of it’s bandwagon stuff. The story is either ‘Bring back Wilko, he’s going to be our saviour’ or ‘They didn’t win by 50, let’s hop into Wilko’.”
It is a decisive weekend, either way, for Wilkinson and the coaches. In maintaining the status quo, the management are banking on England clicking in a way which has rarely been evident to date. The only changes to the squad are on the bench where flanker Joe Worsley, hooker Lee Mears and full-back Ben Foden replace Steffon Armitage, Steve Thompson and Matt Mullan, with Tim Payne retaining the starting loosehead jersey.
There remains a continuing desire to play some rugby if circumstances permit but Johnson is not going to be bullied into doing so. “We’re not trying to make up for what people think we didn’t do in Rome,” said the manager. “This is a new game and we need to approach it that way.”
Wilkinson’s retention will inevitably invite comparisons with Danny Cipriani’s bravura performance in this same fixture two years ago when England romped to a 33-10 win. With Ireland picking Johnny Sexton ahead of the more experienced Ronan O’Gara, Wilkinson’s response will be eagerly awaited.
Smith suggested the door was still open for Cipriani to return to Test rugby but admitted he would have preferred him to stay at home. “The disappointment is that by going down there he’s almost taking himself out of the running. You don’t want to see any of your positions diluted of talent.”
Guardian Service
