Wilkinson shrugs off injury worries
Source: Agencies |
June 3, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
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JONNY Wilkinson has recovered from a back injury and is in the frame to play against Australia on June 12 in Perth, the England flyhalf said.
Wilkinson, whose extra-time drop goal in the final of the 2003 World Cup remains a bitter memory for many Australians, came off injured early in the second half of Toulon's 21-28 loss to Cardiff in the European Challenge Cup final last week.
"Injury-wise I'm fine," the 31-year-old told Australian media in Perth, Western Australia, yesterday.
"I just took a knock to the back but ... I've already had a week and I'm probably being held back by the physios now rather than anything else."
England coach Martin Johnson was non-committal about Wilkinson's chances of playing for England against the Australian Barbarians.
"Jonny's had more games than most of the players this year with the season in France, so we'll see," he said on Tuesday.
Johnson has brought a large 44-man squad for its tour to Australia and New Zealand - England's last before the 2011 World Cup - to give fringe players a chance to stake their claim. England will also play a second test against the Wallabies in Sydney on June 19 before taking on the New Zealand Maoris in Napier, New Zealand.
Australia defeated England 18-9 at Twickenham in their last clash in November, and Wilkinson said the Robbie Deans-coached side would be in "great shape" for the World Cup.
"You've got a good mix of power, strength, speed and enthusiasm," he added.
"Australia's always been tactically astute (and) mixed with this enthusiasm and desire to give it a go is dangerous."
Wilkinson, whose extra-time drop goal in the final of the 2003 World Cup remains a bitter memory for many Australians, came off injured early in the second half of Toulon's 21-28 loss to Cardiff in the European Challenge Cup final last week.
"Injury-wise I'm fine," the 31-year-old told Australian media in Perth, Western Australia, yesterday.
"I just took a knock to the back but ... I've already had a week and I'm probably being held back by the physios now rather than anything else."
England coach Martin Johnson was non-committal about Wilkinson's chances of playing for England against the Australian Barbarians.
"Jonny's had more games than most of the players this year with the season in France, so we'll see," he said on Tuesday.
Johnson has brought a large 44-man squad for its tour to Australia and New Zealand - England's last before the 2011 World Cup - to give fringe players a chance to stake their claim. England will also play a second test against the Wallabies in Sydney on June 19 before taking on the New Zealand Maoris in Napier, New Zealand.
Australia defeated England 18-9 at Twickenham in their last clash in November, and Wilkinson said the Robbie Deans-coached side would be in "great shape" for the World Cup.
"You've got a good mix of power, strength, speed and enthusiasm," he added.
"Australia's always been tactically astute (and) mixed with this enthusiasm and desire to give it a go is dangerous."
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