Say to him simply: Look Jonny you're a good player So far France have been noted for their close support-play with the back row, but England are good at that too Richard Hill is back, which is a massive boost. England have been tense, less relaxed than they were, and they have lost the aura they had six months ago. You cannot separate the player from the team, particularly with the fly-half. One is the mirror of the other.This is where Woodward needs to have earned his corn. To tell Jonny that his kicking percentage is the best in the world, and if he misses one every now and again, don't worry about it one little bit. Say to him simply: "Look, Jonny, you're a good player."Inevitably we turn to France and see a different picture. Fr?ric Michalak is at the top of his form, and enjoying the World Cup, and that reflects how his side have been playing The team are relaxed, and so is he. Tony Marsh is controlling the midfield, they are very big across the back line - until you get to Christophe Dominici - and, unusually for France, they are disciplined and composed. They are based down in Bondi, quaffing the odd glass of wine, enjoying the 35-degree heat (I've been slapping on the sun cream), and they're looking forward to the game.And yet, and yet... Everyone has written England off down here, but the Aussies want them out of it because they fear them. France will be tempted to play it wide, having looked at the width that Samoa and Wales put on the game against England, and with Michalak at No 10 they can do it But they also have the potential to make mistakes. Subs used: Civoniceva (Brisbane), Waterhouse (Penrith), Mason (Canterbury), Crocker (Sydney Roosters).Referee: T Mander (Australia)..
England have been under intense scrutiny this week, but I sincerely hope that, at some quiet moment, away from the intrusions that go with a big tournament, Clive Woodward has sat down with Jonny Wilkinson, put an arm round him and asked him: "What is it you want?" England have been under intense scrutiny this week, but I sincerely hope that, at some quiet moment, away from the intrusions that go with a big tournament, Clive Woodward has sat down with Jonny Wilkinson, put an arm round him and asked him: "What is it you want?" The thing with Jonny is that he is such a lovely kid, and maybe in his heart he doesn't want to be the boss. Subs used: Anderson (Bradford), Sinfield (Leeds), Forshaw (Bradford).Australia: Lockyer (Brisbane, capt); Minichiello (Sydney Roosters), De Vere (Brisbane), Wing (Sydney Roosters), Sing (North Queensland); Gower (Penrith), Kimmorley (Cronulla); Webcke (Brisbane), Buderus (Newcastle), Kearns (Melbourne), Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters), Simpson (Newcastle), Ricketson (Sydney Roosters). "They probably ran out of steam and ran out of ideas.'' He had reason to be proud of the resilience of his team but there is no way in the world they should be going into next Saturday's third Test at Huddersfield with an unassailable 2-0 lead - and the British players knew it.Great Britain 20 Australia 23 Tries: Newton, Connolly, Radlinski; Tries: Lockyer, Fitzgibbon, Kimmorley Goals: Deacon 4; Goals: Fitzgibbon 5 Drop goal: KimmorleyHalf-time: 20-12 Attendance: 25,000Great Britain: Radlinski (Wigan); Carney (Wigan), Connolly (Leeds), Senior (Leeds), Horne (Hull); Sculthorpe (St Helens), Deacon (Bradford); Fielden (Bradford), Newton (Wigan), McDermott (Leeds), Morley (Sydney Roosters), Peacock (Bradford), Farrell (Wigan, capt). Shear frustration then saw Jamie Peacock steal the ball for the penalty that made sure that the Ashes will not be coming to Britain."I didn't think they blew it,'' said the Kangaroo coach, Chris Anderson. Even though he failed with a kick for the first time on British soil, Australia had got the scent.Australia made further inroads early in the second half as the excellent Kimmorley made Great Britain pay for Farrell's kick straight into touch. He had tormented them with his kicking game, but this time he sold a dummy and burst through a gap for a try which Fitzgibbon converted.After Morley had been placed on report for a hard tackle on Matt Sing - one for which he will face no further action - an offside penalty gave Fitzgibbon another shot at goal, which bounced in off the post to bring Australia level.All the momentum was with them now and, after Great Britain had passed up the opportunity to manoeuvre for a drop goal, the composed Kimmorley showed how it was done. |
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