Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has turned up the heat on Jonny Wilkinson ahead of Sunday's grand slam opener at Twickenham.
Deans believes depleted England - with 11 of their initial 32-man squad now sidelined with injury - are infinitely more dangerous with veteran Wilkinson back calling the shots.
The five-eighths
hasn't started a test since March last year but has a history of bobbing up to break Australian hearts.
"He's definitely a guy who's capable of knocking over any opportunities that you give him," Deans said yesterday. "He'll bring a lot of shape to their game. His influence on his peers could be valuable in terms of confidence that he'll bring to them."
Wallabies playmaker Matt Giteau agreed.
Deans, though, wonders how long Wilkinson can keep delivering for England when the stakes are so high - or, in this week's case, when the chips are down. And he noted the English public's expectation would be great for Wilkinson's return.
"I don't think the expectation - well, the pressure - will be a big deal to Jonny. He's well experienced. It's not as though he's just arrived on the scene," Deans said. "But I guess there will be a lot of expectation around him to play to the level, to play to the same standard that he's renowned for - he essentially won England the [2003] World Cup.
"So there will be ... a lot of expectation to that end."
- AAP
