Jonny vows to put body to the sword
BRAVEHEART Jonny Wilkinson has vowed to continue putting his injury-ravaged body on the line when England lock horns with the powerful Pumas at Twickenham tomorrow.
The 30-year-old fly-half has spent much of the last six years on the treatment table but returned to international action last Saturday to make a remarkable 20 tackles in the 18-9 defeat to Australia.
Thankfully, the Toulon star came through unscathed and is now ready to resume battle again when the Argentina front row, seen by many as the toughest in world rugby, roll into town. “You just do what you think needs to be done and whatever it takes to try and get the result,” said Wilkinson modestly.
“It is a tough one because at this level you are so intent on the next job that you are not really counting, you are not really aware of what you are up to. Those tackles had to be made but coming off the field after the game I wouldn’t have said I made 20. I would have probably said about 12.
“Physically it is one of those where you get stuck in but your mind is racing to what happens next.”
Indeed, Wilkinson’s do-or-die approach has forced defence coach Mike Ford to shelve plans to protect England’s star man by ordering the back row to make more tackles around him.
“You have to let him be,” Ford admitted. “Jonny very rarely misses a tackle and he wins the collisions in them. He is probably the fittest guy on the field.
“Teams that try to target him and fatigue him so he can’t have the same influence in attack are wrong because his fitness is world class.
“He can make 20 tackles and do what he does in attack. Everyone saw that on Saturday.”
Wilkinson, meanwhile, believes the introduction of Dylan Hartley, James Haskell and Paul Hodgson will give England a more attacking edge at Twickenham tomorrow.
“We are at a team that wants to play with the ball,” Wilko added. “We want to score tries. I think they will come.
“It is always exciting to have Haskell around and on the field. He is energetic and an impact player.”