Jonny Wilkinson retires

[Garry Owen]

He retired from international duty at the right time. Never really replicated his previous form in his 2nd stint with the English national team and it's questionable if he'd make the match day 22 for the 6Ns. Best to focus on club rugby now especially since he's gone an impressive amount of time (for him) without a serious injury.

Perhaps you're onto something there.

He didn't retire straight after the RWC, but chose an inauspicious time like now to do it. Perhaps he had hopes of making the 6N squad, but someone has let him know on the quiet that they were going in a youthful direction and that his services were no longer required.

For mine, I was never much of a fan, or of Grant Fox, or other 'super boots' flyhalfs. I believe that anyone from 1 to 15 can be the goal kicker if they are good enough. But it's not the prerequisite requirement that you base your primary play maker on. But you got to admit that he was good for our game, sold a lot of England guernseys to youngsters.

 

[Swat]

Perhaps you're onto something there.

He didn't retire straight after the RWC, but chose an inauspicious time like now to do it. Perhaps he had hopes of making the 6N squad, but someone has let him know on the quiet that they were going in a youthful direction and that his services were no longer required.

For mine, I was never much of a fan, or of Grant Fox, or other 'super boots' flyhalfs. I believe that anyone from 1 to 15 can be the goal kicker if they are good enough. But it's not the prerequisite requirement that you base your primary play maker on. But you got to admit that he was good for our game, sold a lot of England guernseys to youngsters.

I think outside of england he was bad for the game... in a competitive sporting market his style of play makes for dull viewing...

Exhibit A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BuvePR3gFU boring!

Exhibit B: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WREmrQ6WC-Q much better...

 

[Bardon]

True Swat, Wilko with England you always knew what you were going to get and it wasn't very exciting for a neutral. But I admire his level of execution and precision. At his peak it was like when Tiger Woods was dominating golf. Yes it was pretty boring seeing the same guy win all the time, but I still admired some of the shots he pulled off. However it would still be pretty exciting to see Jonny in a car being chased by his girlfried who was firing rugby balls through the back window.

 

[spooony]

Pfft there isn't a fly half in the world who can win a game with their pack being beaten up. Period.

The pack might get beaten up but theres still 15 guys to defend in the end.

I think he was a great player. He controlled the game well and was good in his decision making. The 2003 England were really a good team but you still need a set of broad soldiers at the back. England team always looked a bit better when he was playing.