Fans Hail Jonny Wilkinson As The Greatest Defensive Back After Video Goes Viral

Fans have hailed Jonny Wilkinson as the best defensive fly-half of all-time after a compilation video of some of his most memorable tackles went viral on social media.

In some ways, you could argue Wilkinson was the epitome of the professional era. He set new standards in terms of dedication and an almost obsessive pursuit of perfection.

The video of his monster hits has been viewed over 700,000 times on Youtube.

One fan commented: “Unheard of a fly half dropping people like that … .. never be another like him.”

Another said: “Greatest defensive fly half to play the game of rugby.”

“At 5ft10in you really need huge balls to tackle like that and you need even bigger talent to actually succeed,” commented another Wilkinson lover.

Jonny Wilkinson tackles:

Wilkinson was also one of the great match winners of the era and one of the game’s greatest ever accumulators of points.

In fact, only Dan Carter has scored more in Test rugby, with Wilkinson having garnered 1,246 during his 97 caps for England and the Lions. His finest hour, of course, came in 2003, when he slotted the drop goal that won the World Cup.

The fact he landed it with his weaker right foot speaks volumes for his hours and hours of diligent practice. Bowed out on a high, earning two more trophies with Toulon.

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Jonny Wilkinson facts:

1. Wilkinson’s brother, Mark, was also a Newcastle player who made 16 appearances in the Premiership for the side between 2002 and 2005, predominantly as a centre. His father, Phil, was a rugby player and cricketer, and his mother, Philippa, played squash at county level.  His grandfather, Phil, also played football for Norwich.
2. When former England centre Jeremy Guscott walked into the dressing room on the day of Wilkinson’s international debut, he thought the 18-year-old had won a competition to spend the day with the national team.
3. Wilkinson followed Buddhist principles and teachings to help control his perfectionist tendencies, according to an interview he gave with The Times newspaper in 2009.
4. Jonny and Shelley became parents for the first time in late 2018. They keep their private life pretty much on lockdown, but according to reports, they had a little boy called James while they were still living in France.
5. Wilkinson is currently a studio pundit for ITV Sport, working on their coverage of the Six Nations Championship, Rugby World Cup and other rugby events.

RANKED: Rugby Union’s 5 Hardest Hitters of All Time

#5. Jacques Burger (Namibia)

Seen as one of the toughest tacklers in Premiership history, Burger rose to the challenge of carrying his nation almost single-handedly with gusto and relish at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. His nose bears testament to the battering he’s taken in the process. Flat as a pancake, that schnoz. Fair play.

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