Jonny Wilkinson famously won the World Cup for England with a drop goal in 2003, but if he had to pick a Dream Team, who would he choose?
In some ways, you could argue Wilkinson has been the epitome of the professional era. He has set new standards in terms of dedication and an almost obsessive pursuit of perfection.
He’s also been 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.
BACK-THREE:
Fullback: Serge Blanco – France: He typified French rugby at its best with his audacity, ambition and flair. He was most famous for his scintillating counter-attacks, frequently running the ball out of seemingly impossible situations.”
Wing: Christophe Dominici – France: “His opportunism, his flair, his game reading, his sheer explosivity to really change a game is something that sticks in my memory”
Wing: Jonah Lomu – New Zealand: “The guy is quite a remarkable rugby legend and deserves to be so. No dream team would be complete without him.”
CENTRE:
Outside Centre: Brian O’Driscoll – Ireland: The ability to change the game in a second, a heartbeat, with his movement, with his skill, his game reading but also his leadership.”
Inside Centre: Tim Horan – Australia: “A guy that knew how to win, knew how to play the game. His body language suggested he didn’t really know how to fail or what mistakes were, what under performance was.”