June 13, 2010 - 2:46pm

 

England super-boot Jonny Wilkinson is set to take on the Wallabies in Sydney

The Qantas Wallabies 2003 Rugby World Cup nemesis Jonny Wilkinson is set to make a dramatic return to the England No.10 jersey next Saturday at the ground where he broke all Australian hearts and booted his team to Rugby World Cup glory.

England coach Martin Johnson, Wilkinson's captain that fateful day, blasted his team after the match and left little doubts the golden-booted Wilkinson would start at ANZ Stadium in Sydney in the crucial second Test of the Bundaberg Red Rugby Series (Kick off: 8pm AEST)

"I think that is as harsh as I have been with them," Johnson revealed after scalding his players in the changing room.

"You have to be very good down here to win games. We didn't help ourselves. We had enough chances to put ourselves in the game. Their composure on the ball was better."

Wilkinson would clearly add that much needed composure.

"It is accuracy and execution" he continued, "Their line speed was better and took away our time on the ball. We have got to be better. We can't expect to get two penalty tries every week."

The way to give his side that "accuracy and execution" is to recall Wilkinson to the starting flyhalf spot.

The now Toulon based flyhalf came on late in the game at inside centre to try and give the team some structure, something lacking under the No.10 in Perth, Toby Flood.

Johnson was particularly harsh on Flood's kicking out of hand and his failure to put any positional pressure on the Wallabies, especially with England so dominant at scrum time.

If as expected Wilkinson does don the No.10 jersey at ANZ Stadium next Saturday in Sydney it will be the first time he has ventured on to the hallowed turf since that infamous night back in 2003 when he snuck England to victory with a late drop goal.

And the Wallabies, and Wallabies fans, will finally be given a perfect chance for revenge. How sweet that would be for the Men of Gold - and all the Men of Gold supporters.

via rugby.com.au