Laporte praises 'fantastic' Wilkinson

France coach Bernard Laporte reserved special praise for Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked all 24 points as England reached the World Cup final.

The fly-half has not been his commanding best this tournament, but has still been winning matches with the boot – and did so again as England adapted best under the sheeting rain to keep it tight and pummel France into submission.

“Wikinson has a fantastic ability to put a team under pressure. Someone said he was dead, but he was very alive tonight,” reflected a disappointed Laporte.

“He kicked the penalties and dropped the goals. It is fantastic for him.”

Laporte rued the appalling conditions which descended on Sydney today.

The day had been extremely windy, indicating the kicking tussle between Wilkinson and Frederic Michalak would be crucial.

So it proved as Wilkinson landed five penalties and three drop goals, to Michalak’s one conversion.

The downpour changed the complexion of the game again.

France’s success this tournament has been based on their exciting three-quarter play, but with a slippery ball and under English pressure, that never got going.

“It is true the rain had a massive impact on the game, but we are a top team, we need to master a kicking game,” said Laporte.

“We need to show the flexibility needed in difficult conditions.

“It wasn’t England who knocked on, it wasn’t England who lost their own line-out, it was France.

“England played the territorial game well and kept reasonable control – but we missed the kicks.

“That is life. That is sport.”

France lost Christophe Dominici and Serge Betsen to the sin-bin – the first Laporte conceded was deserved as the French winger cynically tripped Jason Robinson.

Despite that, France were still in touch at the break and Laporte urged them there was all to play for heading into the second half.

“I explained even though we had been down to 14 men and had a terrible first half, we were only five points behind,” he said.

“I said if we can make our set-pieces better, win some territory we could get back into it.

“But that didn’t happen and France let the game slip away. We made mistakes, but when you are paying under pressure, you do make mistakes.”