Tuesday 02nd October 2007
Australia centre Matt Giteau believes World Cup quarter-final opponents England are a far more dangerous team now Jonny Wilkinson is back.
The Wallabies view the defending champions as a growing force and put much of that down to the return of Wilkinson, their drop-goal nemesis from the 2003 final.
Wilkinson missed England's first two matches of the tournament with an ankle injury before returning for the wins over Samoa and Tonga.
"The reason England are looking more dangerous is that they are starting to build into the competition nicely," said Giteau.
"Their backline has been improving since the South Africa game and they get a lot of confidence with Jonny in the side.
"He provides a lot for the team, not only his kicking and general play but just him being in the team.
"He is definitely a key player there. When Jonny is in the team, they feel they can try things. When they play without him, they lack of confidence."
Australia are playing down suggestions of revenge for the 2003 final, which England won in the dying seconds of extra-time thanks to Wilkinson's drop-goal.
But they have learned their lessons from the defeat.
Defence coach John Muggleton has been drilling into his men the need to cut down the time and space in which Wilkinson has to work.
England have scored the fewest tries of the eight quarter-finalists but have landed the most drop-goals, with Wilkinson slotting four in the last two games.
"There's not a great deal of difference to any other number ten, like Dan Carter. We want to put them under pressure and it is the same with Jonny Wilkinson," said Muggleton.
"All number tens like extra space and time. We want to cut down their time, if we can do that.
"We've got to make sure space is something they don't get. We've got to respect the halfway line as our try-line.
"We don't want them to get in our half and have the opportunity to kick penalty goals and keep the scoreboard ticking over."
Giteau will be an interested observer when England head coach Brian Ashton reveals whether Olly Barkley or Andy Farrell will start opposite him at inside centre.
"They obviously provide different things and which centre they choose will say a fair bit about how they will play the game," said Giteau.
"Barkley is very skilful, fast on his feet and more of an evasive player. Andy Farrell is a bit more dominant and a more aggressive player.
"It would be like the difference between Stirling Mortlock and myself."
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