'Wilko is the wrong man for the job'

Tuesday October 05 2004

The jury is hung

Our readers seem divided over the appointment of Jonny Wilkinson as England captain for the forthcoming Test series. There is no doubting that he's a special player, but there are fears about whether he has the talent to keep yet another plate spinning - and this one ain't no saucer, it's a whopping great salver!

'ARISE SIR JONNY!'

"Wilkinson is a young, vibrant player - and can handle pressure at the highest international level.

"I think he is the likeliest player that can fill the void left by Martin Johnson - Loz Dayglo tried to fill that void, but personally, I think that was an error giving him the captaincy. 

"Now need to build the team around him, aiming for ultimate success in France 2007 - although, a more creative back line is required along with a clear out of other stagnant 'dead wood' players (e.g. Greenwood, Vickery & Cohen)."

"Good luck, Jonny."
- Colin Grant, Manchester, UK

"What can be said about this man that has not already been proclaimed? 

"He's the poster boy for rugby worldwide and now he has the added pressure of trying to captain England back to glory.  I am not an English fan, but this young man is the complete package of the modern professional athlete. 
 
"He is considerate to fans, the consummate professional with reporters, and functions and he is unquestionably dedicated to the cause of rugby. 

"If there is anyone who could possibly bring England back to what they were, it is Wilkinson. 

"Though, his already incredible mental and physical preparations to each and every day may be found lacking attention when he is needed for the many captain duties which will soon arise. 
 
"I wish him the best of luck in his captaincy. The same captaincy he should have received after Johnson retired, but the higher powers somehow deemed Dallaglio worthy of the title again. That was a mistake, but this is one of the ways to correct that error. 

"Does this now mean that he is a possible candidate for the captaincy of a certain team in red?"
- Tobin Hammerberg, Vancouver, Canada

"I think it was the right choice, he has a good head on his shoulders he has big match experience and composure and has said in the past that he would one day like to captain his country full time.
 
"Quite a simple choice really with doubt over the future of Richard Hill."
- Dave, Queensland, Australia
 
"Arise Sir Jonny! Not surprising the appointment of the world's best all-round 10 as England captain. 

"Can Wilko's shoulders and mind take the strain? The answer to that question will determine how England fare up to France 2007.

"England captaincy aside, we also need a forward enforcer(s) (not a fighter a la Grewcock) to replace Johnno and big Lol. Swing low..."
- Scottie, Englishman in Oz

'ANOTHER MISCUE BY ENGLAND'

"Jonny Wilkinson was (and hopefully will be again) a world class player (he's not just a kicker but he also thinks tactically and can kick-start a move with his quick thinking).

"However, due to his particular style of match preparation he will not make an effective captain - he's in his own little world in the hours leading up to the match (when he should be geeing up the troops).

"Furthermore, if he continues to play as he is currently, he'll be lucky to get a place on the bench, let alone start. Due to his long time off because of injury he needs to concentrate fully on getting back to match fitness and concentrate on decision making (as he will still be slightly rusty).

"So who should be captain? Firstly someone who is fit and is playing well as well as having the experience and probably the place in the starting line-up. Only two players fit into this category - Andy Gomarsall and Richard Hill. Hill is too quiet to be captain, he does his job and he does it well, but you need to be seen (like Johnson) to be an international captain.

"Seen is what Gomarsall is, he's a live-wire who gees up the forwards and unleashes the backs, however, he doesn't waste valuable time getting on the wrong side of referees (a la Dawson). He's got the nous and is good with the media, so there you have it - Gomarsall should, by my reckoning anyway, be the new England captain."
- Simon Griffiths, London

"I think the appointment of Wilkinson was a poor decision. I thought that it was an unwritten rule that a fly half should not be given captaincy for the simple reason that they already have such a burden of responsibility as chief playmaker. It may just be a bit much for him.

"I remember that when Australia went into the world cup in 1995 as defending world champions they were captained by another great fly half in Michael Lynagh - and got knocked out in the quarter-finals."
- Myles, Sapporo, Japan

"This is a not a good decision! For a 25-year-old who is currently  responsible for scoring all England's points, making all the tactical decisions, controlling the defensive line and bailing other players around him out of trouble, why give him the extra pressure of captaining a team that has lost most of its players  - the ones that were any good anyway.
 
"Let him concentrate on his own game doing the things that he's so good at. Kicking drop-goals in World Cup finals for example. His game will never be the same again! He's a magic player, just let him play.
 
"I guess there is no other obvious chose for a captain at the moment but don't give the job to Jonny, you saw what happened to Dallaglio when he got asked to captain a sinking ship - he jumped off and swam away followed closely by Clive.
 
"Is there nobody else left in English rugby?"
- Mike Girvan, Kiwi in Japan

"Only forwards make effective rugby team captains. Appointing Wilko as captain will only detract from his concentration and focus as the team's key playmaker.

"Recent examples being Joost Van der W. & BOD's lack of creativity and spark after being promoted to team captain.

"Another miscue by England's management."   
- Alex Gersh

"What an absolutely stupid decision to make Wilkinson captain of England.

"He's got no leadership skills at all. Johnson was a great captain because he inspired his team. Wilkinson is just a good kicker and that's all."
- Royce Fisher, California, USA

"Huh?! Jonny frets over one missed kick. How is he going to deal with rallying the troops whilst standing under the sticks waiting for the seventh conversion to sail over his head?

"Wilkinson is the wrong man for the England job - there'll be tears at Twickers..."
- John Redland, Auckland, New Zealand