Wilkinson looks to shine away from spotlight

Mention Jonny Wilkinson and the image of his World Cup-winning drop goal against Australia in 2003 is never far off.

Individuals tend to be remembered for their moments of greatness and teams remembered for the great individuals within them.

England's huge collective effort at Rugby World Cup 2003, particularly among the forwards, often gets mislaid amid references to Wilkinson's sublime kicking on that and other days.
Wilkinson has arrived at his fourth RWC as the leading points scorer in the tournament, with 249.

But with former understudy Toby Flood now becoming established in Wilkinson's best position at fly half, the Toulon player has found himself less in the media spotlight than usual.

Not that he cares - or has even noticed.

Internal expectations

"I've never really concentrated too much on those things anyway," he told the Rugby News Service at the team hotel in Dunedin on Tuesday.

"I guess the expectation I put on myself, I always feel a bit under the cosh, that I have work to do and something to prove. I'm kind of living in my own little world.

"The thing is that the outside interest tends to fall below the internal part. At least for me, that's the best way to have it - what you expect from yourself."

Wilkinson has always been introspective, as focused on himself and his game as he is on the ball and the posts when setting himself for a penalty kick, oblivious to the crowd around him.

Still only 32, Wilkinson was already believed past his best when, after four injury-hit years, he helped England to a second-consecutive final in 2007.

England's team effort in rising above mediocrity to reach that final, won by South Africa, was noticed perhaps because of a lack of individual brilliance, although Andrew Sheridan deservedly reaped plaudits for his scrum exploits in France.

Team over individuals

But Wilkinson maintains it is always about the team, despite the public attention given to individual players.

"It's inevitably going to happen. I gave up fighting it a long time ago," he said.

"The number of games people thought I was playing well, when I was just being spoon-fed by Mike Catt ... you have to be out there living it, season after season, setback after setback, victory after victory.

"It's hard to convey in an answer just how important the environment of the team is. As an individual it is important to have your skills, but it pales into insignificance against the team as a whole."

Flood has 42 caps to Wilkinson's 87 and 202 points to Wilkinson's 1,151.

But whichever is handed the number 10 shirt in the Pool B opener against Argentina at Otago Stadium on Saturday, Wilkinson says that man will have the full support of the other - whether from the bench, or just alongside at centre.

"Both of us are on a journey to improve and help each other out," says Wilkinson.

"I'm bringing my experience, Floody's bringing his youth and flair and also his experience because he has got a large number of caps already.

"And he will be leading England through big tournaments in the future, and having a big influence."