Once bitten, twice shy: Jones remains wary of Wilkinson

EDDIE JONES claims Jonny Wilkinson is not the player he was in 2003 – but the former Australia coach knows the England star is still capable of again booting his country to World Cup glory.

Jones, who coached the Wallabies side that was sunk by a Wilkinson-inspired England in the final four years ago, was drafted in by South Africa as a specialist advisor for this World Cup.

Wilkinson will clearly be the danger man again for the defending champions in this weekend’s final against the Springboks, and the 47-year-old Jones is in a good position to assess the relative merits of the fly-half compared to 2003.

Although Jones thinks the Newcastle Falcon is not the same force, he is fully aware Wilkinson can work with his powerful pack of forwards to help Brian Ashton’s men retain their crown.

“He’s a different sort of player,” Jones said of Wilkinson, whose kicking under pressure was vital in England’s wins over Australia and France over the past two weekends.

“Defensively he is still good, but he is probably not as dominant a player as he was in 2003.

“He’s been out of the game, and he had a very good combination with Will Greenwood (in 2003). Greenwood was the eyes and ears of the team.

“But he just gives them enormous confidence and you can see guys play better when he is out there. He has won a World Cup, he kicks reasonably well, and still kicks a drop-goal here and there.

“He plays at the back end of what’s in front of him. World Cup finals are won up front and Jonny does what he does on the back of what his forwards do.

“Saturday’s more going to be a battle between the forwards. If we can neutralise their go-forward, I am sure we can put him under pressure. It’s not just about shutting him down.”

Jones felt that, at times, England were unbeatable in 2003.

The Australians were brushed aside 25-14 by their old rivals in a summer Test match in Melbourne prior to the 2003 World Cup, in probably England’s finest display of the Clive Woodward era.

It was their first Test victory on Wallaby soil and saw the forwards and backs dominant from the first until last minute.

It’s different this time, with England having regrouped after a dreadful start to the World Cup to force their way into the final through perspiration more than inspiration.

“In 2003, they were a more comprehensive team,” Jones added.

“I remember playing them that year and we couldn’t compete. The only thing that kept us in there was our ticker. In all honesty, I was thinking, ‘we can’t beat this side’.

“It’s probably some of the best rugby we have seen in the last 10 years. They had a comprehensive game-plan where they could play in a number of ways.

“They are different now. They have been playing a way for four or five games and I’d be surprised if they could play another way.

“If you have only had a team for a short period of time, you’ve got to set out a style that gets you the win and that’s what Brian Ashton has done.

“England have got through to where they are now by being good at the scrum and the breakdown.”

Jones could finally get his hands on the World Cup trophy this weekend after the heartbreaking final defeat four years ago.

“You move on,” he said. “In 2003, we played as well as we could but England were better and deserved to win.

“This year, South Africa are the best team and if we play well, we will get the result we want.’’