England supremo Johnson believes World Cup is there for the taking
England tackle France in the quarter-finals at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday, immediately after Wales clash with Ireland in Wellington. The winners will meet in a mouth-watering semi-final.
On Sunday, Tri Nations champions Australia meet South Africa for a chance to face either New Zealand or Argentina in the last four.
Of all those ties, Johnson reckons only the Pumas can be considered outsiders. The rest are 50-50, which makes for arguably the most exciting World Cup yet.
“It’s do or die, isn’t it? It’s a World Cup quarter-final. You’ve got to start big. There’s no holding yourself back for anything,” Johnson said.
“I think more than ever it is anyone’s tournament. New Zealand are still obviously very strong. The loss of Dan Carter is a big blow but they’re still a very strong all-round team. But it’s a fascinating tournament. Every game this weekend is going to be interesting.
“You probably couldn’t have said that four years ago — although you wouldn’t have thought England would have got through the quarters and made the final.
“I think it’s going to be a tough game for Argentina but you can see seven of them getting there.”
England’s minimum target is an appearance in the semi-finals and Johnson has sprung a significant surprise when naming his side to play France. The England manager opted to start with Jonny Wilkinson and Toby Flood together for only the second time in his tenure, stressing it was an “exciting combination” and not a “gamble”.
Johnson had previously abandoned plans to use a second playmaker in favour of a powerful ball-carrier after experimenting with the likes of Olly Barkley and Shane Geraghty at inside centre.
But England have chosen this week to reverse that policy in a selection which mirrors in many ways what Clive Woodward did before the 2003 semi-final, also against France.
Flood will offer England an alternative kicking option and far improved midfield distribution, which should have strike runners Ben Foden, Chris Ashton and Mark Cueto salivating at the prospect.
Eight years ago, Woodward felt Mike Catt could offer the same thing.
“Toby does offer something different [to Mike Tindall or Shontayne Hape],” said Johnson. “It’s an exciting combination for us. It’s not a gamble. You always put a lot of thought into your selections — no more so than when you’re in a World Cup quarter-final.”
Wilkinson has struggled with his goal-kicking throughout the tournament and his return of nine from 20 shots is the worst of the World Cup. Wilkinson and Flood will make a final decision after today’s kicking session at Eden Park as to who will take the responsibility against France.
“You go into a game like this, I don’t think you’d want to be playing against Jonny Wilkinson,” said Johnson, mindful no doubt of how France were put to the sword by Wilkinson’s boot at the 2003 and 2007 events.
Johnson made three other changes to his side with lock Tom Palmer preferred to Courtney Lawes, Nick Easter replacing James Haskell at No.8 and Mark Cueto in for the suspended Delon Armitage.
ENGLAND: B Foden (Northampton); C Ashton (Northampton), M Tuilagi (Leicester), T Flood (Leicester), M Cueto (Sale Sharks); J Wilkinson (Toulon), B Youngs (Leicester); M Stevens (Saracens), S Thompson (Wasps), D Cole (Leicester), L Deacon (Leicester), T Palmer (Stade Francais), T Croft (Leicester), L Moody (Bath, capt), N Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: D Hartley (Northampton), A Corbisiero (London Irish), C Lawes (Northampton), S Shaw (Unattached), J Haskell (Ricoh Black Rams), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), M Banahan (Bath).
FRANCE: M Medard (Perpignan); V Clerc (Toulouse), A Rougerie (Clermont Auvergne), M Mermoz (Perpignan), A Palisson (Brive); M Parra (Clermont Auvergne), D Yachvili (Biarritz); J-B Poux (Toulouse), W Servat (Toulouse), N Mas (Perpignan), P Pape (Stade Francais), L Nallet (Racing Metro), T Dusautoir (Toulouse), J Bonnaire (Clermont Au), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz).
Replacements: D Szarzewski (Stade Francais),F Barcella (Biarritz), J Pierre (Clermont Au), L Picamoles (Toulouse), F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), D Marty (Perpignan), C Heymans (Toulouse).
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia).
Assistant referees: Alain Rolland and George Clancy (both Ireland).
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