"Highly Respected" - George Gregan: Wallabies legend recalls his first impressions of Jonny Wilkinson

In an immortalised image of RFU folklore, England legend Jonny Wilkinson stepped up to slot the match-winning drop goal and record a historic win in Australia's own back-yard of Sydney. Now, some 22 years later, former Wallabies scrum half and certified legend in the gold jersey, George Gregan, recalled his first impressions of Wilkinson prior to the iconic drop goal in New South Wales.

"Jonny Wilkinson was highly respected everywhere." Gregan said to OLBG, "I remember he came to Australia in 1998 when he was 18. We just knew he was a courageous defender. He could dictate a game with both feet. He had a great kicking game and had an underrated running game.

"He was actually really dangerous if he ran and passed short. He could steer the game around. That's how they played, so he adapted to what he needed to do. He was a fantastic player and as we experienced in that final, he had the ability to deliver in the big moments.

"Everyone talks about the [2003] field goal, but he made some massive kicks in that game off the tee for goal. He's Johnny Wilkinson, so that's what he does. He was incredible. And he was highly revered. When I played for Australia, if we went over halfway, we'd probably push the envelope a little bit before the 40 metres line. But then from 40 meters out from your line, you're probably a bit more disciplined.

"But, when you played against Jonny, you probably started being a little bit more conservative from about 55 meters out from your line, because he could hurt you from there. So, you're kind of always a little bit on the back foot defensively."

The Wallabies captain back in '03, Gregan's playing days upon the Test match stage came to an end in 2007, with the scrum half seeing out his career in Japan. Following a near four year run with Suntory Sungoliath, Gregan hung up the boots in 2011 and has since become an established pundit and commentator with his valuable insight now offered to the global rugby audience.

Turning his attention to the upcoming Autumn Nations Series, Gregan backs the Wallabies to continue on with their rejuvenated run of form under Joe Schmidt. The former Ireland head coach has breathed new life into the Wallabies, following their 2023 Rugby World Cup pool stage exit and the Japan coaching saga under Eddie Jones. Schmidt has steadily re-built the side, with the men in gold picking up an impressive victory over the British & Irish Lions in the Summer, and solid wins against the Springboks and Pumas throughout the latest Rugby Championship.

This weekend's Autumn Nations Series opener sees Australia return to the Allianz Stadium for another crack at England, with Steve Borthwick left ruing the Wallabies from their last-ditch defeat in 2024. England had the match won following a 79th minute Maro Itoje try, before a fumbled re-start handed possession back to Australia. The ball would then find it's way out wide to hot-shot flyer Max Jorgensen to bag an 84th minute match winner for a 42-37 triumph, in what was a crushing blow for England.

"When they beat England here last year at Twickenham and scored over 40 points, that was some achievement." Gregan said. "It's not easy to do. Twickenham's a hard place to play. And then to win it in the 82nd minute, with that group of young men was impressive."

"A lot of them [Wallabies players] had been part of a previous disappointing Rugby World Cup campaign, but they're young men and you've got to go through the ups and downs to get better and learn. And the fact that they turned that around and showed composure and skill and poise to win that match was incredible."

"Joe Schmidt has done something pretty special here in this group. They're a good young group and they were always going to do better than everyone was saying, against the Lions in a home series. If the players weren't up for that and the coaches weren't up for that, when it only happens every 12 years, they never would be. It was only a point difference, and one try difference. To be fair, the Wallabies almost won more halves of football than the Lions. But the Lions won the big moments.

"You have to remember the quality of players that they had. That's all you need to do in those big matches. And that was what it was. But it was awesome. It really got people talking about our game. You would have loved to go to Sydney 1-1 each. It was an amazing series.

"They showed vast improvement. I was in Johannesburg when they won [against South Africa]. We were 22 points down. I was doing some punditry, Schalk Burger, and he was saying, ‘Mate, this could be another really bad day at the office!’

"Then they scored 38 unanswered points. It was an incredible first win in 62 years. So, this team and this group and Joe Schmidt have got themselves believing. They just have to keep their feet on the ground."

Over the past 12 months since Max Jorgensen scored the decisive late winner at Twickenham, the Wallabies wing has gone from being a bolt from the blue, to an established name in gold. Gregan likes what he sees from the 21-year-old flyer, who is steadily building up his international tenure with 17 caps already to his name. Gregan went on to explain how Jorgensen reminds him of an old rival from his Bledisloe Cup days.

"Max Jorgensen, he's doing really well. He is very poised and balanced. He is very calm Max, and he's very explosive too. I know it's a big call and I don't mind getting a bit of grief from my Kiwi fans and friends, but he reminds me a lot of Ben Smith, the former All Black. Ben was underrated and understated, but could play 15, 14, scored a lot of tries, and popped up in the right areas.

"You can just see how he's getting better and better each game, each year that he's in international rugby. The big thing I think with everyone going into the World Cup is trying to keep your squad fit and it's going to be the challenge."

The Wallabies have a packed schedule for November, with four Test matches in store padding out their Northern Tour. Schmidt's men commence their campaign against England, before taking on Italy, Ireland and France, with Australia out to climb the all-important World Rugby rankings ahead of the World Cup draw in December. Gregan backs the Wallabies for a clean sweep, with Schmidt taking this Australian side into a new gear ahead of a home-hosted Rugby World Cup in 2027.

"You saw the impact he [Joe Schmidt] had with the All Blacks when he came in. You saw what he did previously with Ireland and before that at Leinster. He coached in France at Clermont. The man knows how to coach, and he's evolved his coaching.

"There's a real clarity around how they play and there's a real deliberate accuracy around what you need to do if you want to play that way. The foundations he has laid are very good and we’ve started seeing the results. The team knows that they can beat anyone in the world. But the magic is backing it up for a period of time. But they're knocking on the door of doing that.

"That's what I like about it. Even some of the losses this year, they've been by very small margins, which means you're doing a lot of good things."