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PARIS - Four years ago Jonny Wilkinson kicked all of England's points when they beat France 24-7 in the World Cup semifinals.
On Sunday, he may only have managed nine points but they were just as precious as the champions sealed another last four triumph over Les Bleus with a 14-9 victory.
Renowned for his metronomic accuracy, Wilkinson, whose extra-time drop goal sealed England's victory over Australia in the 2003 World Cup final, came into this game with a goalkicking success rate at this tournament of 62.5 per cent - astonishingly low by his exacting standards.
And when his first two goalkicks went wide of the posts even his teammates could have been forgiven for fearing the worst.
But inside the final six minutes first five-eighths Wilkinson kicked the decisive six points with a penalty and a drop goal that saw England into next Sunday's final against either South Africa or Argentina.
"It's been a funny story. Some have gone over, some have not. At the start some didn't go over and I realised I had to give it my all. It got better and they went over in the end," said Wilkinson who praised his teammates.
"From the first few weeks the guys have dug deep, looked into themselves and asked big questions. The guys have learnt about each other and got along together very quickly under huge pressure. Raw guts and determination have saved us."
Wilkinson left the plaudits to others.
"What can I say about him that hasn't already been written? Jonny's a great rugby player," said England captain Phil Vickery.
"People just talk about his kicks but it is his all-round game that gives the team confidence. With that final kick, if you had to put your mortgage on it, he would be your man.
"He duly stepped up to dink it over like it was a Sunday afternoon stroll."
And beaten France captain Raphael Ibanez added: "You have to recognise the cool of Wilkinson in these important moments for his team. He's a great player."
After England took a dramatic lead thanks to Josh Lewsey's try, Wilkinson - who also kicked all of England's points in their 12-10 quarter-final win over Australia - had his first shot at the posts.
It was by no means an easy conversion from wide out on the left and the ball, in the manner of a Brazilian style football free-kick, swerved this way and that before staying outside the posts.
But the 28-year-old remains a fearless tackler despite suffering injuries to his shoulder, arm, knees, appendix, groin, kidney and hamstring, which have seen him spend most of the past four years on the sidelines.
But that didn't stop the slightly-built Wilkinson from putting in a thumping tackle on lock Fabien Pelous.
So powerful was the effect of Wilkinson's perfectly legal challenge that moments later the second row limped off the field and was replaced in the 25th minute by Sebastien Chabal.
Wilkinson then saw a long range penalty drift narrowly wide.
However, when it seemed his goalkicking might let him down, Wilkinson landed his third penalty attempt in the 47th minute to the relief of the thousands of English fans in the ground and his side were now a mere 8-9 behind before almost giving England the lead when a drop-goal effort hit the left upright.
With 10 minutes left and France still only a point ahead, Wilkinson fell to the turf after helping haul down Chabal. It was a nerve-wracking moment for England and their fans but the national hero was soon back on his feet.
Then, in the 75th minute Wilkinson was presented with a penalty chance in front of the posts.
It was, in standard terms, a simple kick. This though was no standard situation. Would Wilkinson's nerve hold? Did it ever. He got down in his familar crouch position and duly put England in front 11-9.
A drop goal would leave France needing to score a try to level the game.
Reserve halfback Peter Richards knew what was required. His pass found Wilkinson in pole position and the ball flew, straight and high and true between the posts.
Wilkinson and England, both written off during the last four years, had had yet another night to remember.
- AFP
