Austin Healey’s unexpected stance in the Dan Carter versus Jonny Wilkinson debate has raised eyebrows, as the pundit took a jab at his former England teammate.
Speaking to BT Sport, Healey said: “I’d pick Dan Carter. I think he’s got a better all-round game, a better running game. He’s played more games than Johnny Wilkinson, so he’s had longevity.
“They’ve both dropped a goal in a World Cup final, but unlike Wilkinson, Carter didn’t miss five other kicks in the final. He was on his money 100%.”
Writing about the same debate, Sir Clive Woodward had a different point of view.
He said: “Jonny Wilkinson or Dan Carter? That is the question I often get asked. It’s almost an impossible choice. They were, by some distance, the two pre-eminent fly-halves of their era — both incidentally natural left-footers.
“They were both tough and enduring — fly-halves are targeted in all levels of rugby, doubly so when they are world-class goalkickers. I would score Jonny and Dan about equal as the best goalkickers we have seen, Dan was the best attacking 10 I ever saw while Jonny was far and away the best defensive 10 I ever witnessed.
“So where does that leave us? If I was forced into a corner I would go with Jonny. Just. I was lucky enough to coach him for six years and knew his game intimately. With Dan I just admired from afar.”
50 best British & Irish Lions of all-time (via The Guardian)
50. Robert Jones (Wales) – Scrum-half – 1989 – P3 W2 D0 L1 – 73
49. Tom Smith (Scotland) – Prop – 1997, 2001 – P6 W3 D0 L3 – 75
48. Matt Dawson (England) – Scrum-half – 1997, 2001, 2005 – P7 W2 D0 L5 – 76
47. David Sole (Scotland) – Prop – 1989 – P3 W2 L1 – 90
46. Rhys Williams (Wales) – Lock – 1955, 1959 – P10 W5 L5 – 94
45. Neil Jenkins (Wales) – Fly-half – 1997, 2001 – P4 W2 D0 L2 – 99
44. Jason Robinson (England) – Fullback/Wing – 2001, 2005 – P5 W1 D0 L4 – 105
43. Roger Uttley (England) – Back row – 1974 – P4 W3 D1 L0 – 107
42. Bobby Windsor (Wales) – Hooker – 1974, 1977 – P5 W3 D1 L1 – 109
41. Jonny Wilkinson (England) – Fly-half – 2001, 2005 – P6 W1 D1 L4 – 110
40. Rob Andrew (England) – Fly-half – 1989, 1993 – P5 W3 D0 L2 – 110
39. Paul O’Connell (Ireland) – Lock – 2005, 2009 – P6 W1 D0 L5 – 114
38. Peter Wheeler (England) – Hooker – 1977, 1980 – P7 W2 L5 – 119
37. David Duckham (England) – Centre – 1971 – P3 W1 D1 L1 – 128
36. Jack Kyle (Ireland) – Fly-half – 1950 – P6 W2 D1 L3 – 147
35. Finlay Calder (Scotland) – Back row – 1989 – P3 W2 D0 L1 – 149