1
Wilson: The journey for us is only just starting
Mark Wilson was battling to establish himself in the Newcastle Falcons back row as England staged the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but four years later he has a key role to play as part of Eddie Jones’s squad in Japan.
ADVERTISEMENT
Wilson and the rest of the England squad arrived in central Tokyo today having been delayed at Narita airport due to travel problems caused by Typhoon Faxia which swept through the Japanese capital and after a night recovering from the flight, the England squad will head to their training base at Miyazaki in the south of the country.
For Wilson, selection in the 31 man England squad is something he sees as merely the first step towards powering the team to World Cup glory and his no-nonsense back row play suits the intensely physical approach Jones is looking for at the tournament. With pool games against Tonga and USA in quick succession before the pool deciding clashes with Argentina and France, England will need the abrasive attitude that is the hallmark of Wilson’s rugby and which allowed him to break into test rugby.
Wilson, who turns 30 in the middle of the World Cup (Oct 6), has won 14 caps and his performance in the 37-0 win over Italy in his native North East on Friday night encapsulated the strengths that saw him not only become indispensable for Newcastle but impossible for Jones to ignore. Wilson’s need for top flight rugby means he will operate on loan at Sale Sharks in the Premiership, however, that switch in allegiance won’t happen until England have completed their World Cup campaign.
Wilson, whose face bears the scars of his back row trade, said: “Some of the performances in our warm up games were really good but the journey for us is only just starting. Now we are in the business end of things and, hopefully, we can keep on improving. The World Cup is really going to test us and some games are no going to go our way and it is how we react to those challenges and the Italy game was a perfect example. We didn’t get frustrated or panic and the great thing is that we are still building as a squad, getting closer as a team.
“In all honestly, the World Cup is going to be a new experience for some of us and we have to be ready for anything and it is important that we problem solve as a group. I have never been to Japan before and we went to Italy to train in the kind of humid climate that we are going to have to face and we learnt a lot about how handle the ball in those conditions and how to deal with things when the intensity of the game rises.
“We have been training for the biggest tournament in the world and it has been a physical challenge. We have learned a lot about ourselves and I have loved it.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Wilson and his England team mates are set to share a bonus fund of nearly £7m if they win the World Cup with the Times revealing each player could bank more than £200,000 each for repeating the 2003 success in Australia.
Jonny Wilkinson on why England can win the World Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
Brumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
5 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
5 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
5 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
5 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to comments