Rugby: Australia forget Wilkinson, OHNSON
Rugby: Australia forget Wilkinson, OHNSON
England manager Martin Johnson today confronted Australia's obsession with arch-nemesis Jonny Wilkinson and told them: "Get over it".
The Wallabies still fear the man who wrecked their World Cup dreams at successive tournaments - on home soil in 2003, when Johnson lifted the Webb Ellis trophy, and again in the quarter-finals four years later.
The reality is that Wilkinson has spent most of the last seven years overcoming a catalogue of injuries and, as well as he played for Toulon this season, his Six Nations form was patchy.
Toby Flood replaced Wilkinson for England's last game against France and he has retained the fly-half jersey for the Cook Cup showdown in Perth.
With that aura intact Down Under, Australia's players could scarcely believe England would not start with Wilkinson in Saturday's first Test.
Asked whether Johnson had considered playing on the mental scars of 2003 by starting with Wilkinson at Subiaco Oval, he said: "It is a long time ago for us. You all probably need to get over it.
Wilkinson is back on Australian soil for the first time in any capacity since England won the World Cup in 2003.
From the moment of their arrival, the England team management were inundated with requests from television and radio stations in Australia for Wilkinson to make personal appearances.
"Anyone who comes over here and drops a goal to win a World Cup is going to be remembered and highly regarded," he said.
Flood is anonymous by comparison, even though he played in the 2007 World Cup final. The 24-year-old is used to existing in Wilkinson's shadow, having been his understudy for so many years with Newcastle and England.
But Flood sparked a vibrant England performance against France in Paris and he ended the season by helping Leicester to win the Guinness Premiership title at Twickenham.
"I have a great opportunity. I don't think I have dropped off in form since I played ahead of him against France in the Six Nations," Flood continued.
"If we can continue the good things from Paris and have a good first 20 minutes and build on that, then we can achieve something."
Wilkinson said Flood's "exciting" inclusion would not have come as a surprise to the Australians if they had watched a video of the France game.
Wilkinson almost produced a match-winning contribution off the bench in Paris - and he warned the Wallabies he is ready to break their hearts once again.
"The local guys have been keen to talk about the olden days, which is great for them and you can tell they are still massively competitive," said Wilkinson.
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