Aussie pair turns to Jonny Wilkinson for advice

Aussie pair turns to Jonny Wilkinson for advice

Aussie pair Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell has sought out Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked England to World Cup glory in 2003, for advice as they attempt to strengthen the Wallabies bid for glory on English soil.

The Toulon duo admitted seeking out former club-mate Wilkinson for guidance on how to best approach a World Cup a long way away from home.

“We know Jonny reasonably well from our time in Toulon,” Giteau said. “He’s been open about it, about how it was one of the best things but also one of the most difficult things he has gone through with the fame and attention.

“We have been able to speak to him about the good and bad side of it all.” added the versatile back.

Mitchell revealed that the Wallabies would love nothing more than spoiling England’s home World Cup by lifting the Webb Ellis Cup at Twickenham, gaining revenge for their agonizing loss to the men in white in Sydney 12 years ago.

However, the winger also said that the Wallabies must not look “beyond” their testing opening fixture against Fiji.

“For now the focus is on Fiji,” Mitchell said. “The moment you start looking beyond that is when you start getting into a bit of trouble. Fiji are far too good a side to look beyond them.”

“We want to achieve the ultimate, but there is a lot to go through, prepare and execute before that,” added Mitchell.

Mitchell and Giteau were only recalled to the Wallaby ranks this year after the Australian Rugby Union relaxed its rules on picking overseas-based players.

And Giteau, who was extremely thankful for the change, is now looking forward to representing the Wallabies at the World Cup.

“It’s a big issue for us, but now it’s been done and we are both very thankful that we’ve been given the opportunity to come back and be involved for our country in such a massive thing as the World Cup,” he said.

The Australians begin their campaign against Fiji in Cardiff on Sept. 23 before playing Uruguay, England and Wales in what had been considered the ‘Pool of Death’.