TNT Sports
Wilkinson's point to prove
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Published 20/05/2005 at 14:08 GMT+1
The 2001 Lions tour of Australia was one of the few disappointments Jonny Wilkinson has suffered in his career. The England flyhalf started all three tests but it was his intercepted pass in the second of them that sparked the Australian fightback which e
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Wilkinson heads off with Clive Woodward's squad to New Zealand next week believing he is well equipped to make amends.
"I'm a lot more mature," he said after becoming the 45th man in the mammoth squad. "The last Lions tour was a ground-breaking experience, it opened my eyes to what professional rugby is all about.
"The pressure and intensity was something I had never experienced before. Hopefully, I have more understanding of leadership to influence results and matches.
Wilkinson returned to Australia in 2003 and kicked the drop goal which clinched England's victory in the World Cup final, but he is looking only forwards after an immensely frustrating spell on the sidelines.
"I'm a person who would hate to be resting on laurels, past performances and past glories," he said. "I like the idea that there is room for improvement, the idea of playing with high expectations. I feel I have so much more to give."
"Being injured just increased the feeling of wanting to do better. It was like being backed into a corner that I had to fight to get out of."
KEY FACTOR
Wilkinson's extraordinarily reliable goal-kicking could be a key factor for the Lions.
Their victory over South Africa in 1997 was due in no small part to the boot of Welshman Neil Jenkins, and Wilkinson's kicking ability could earn him the flyhalf test place ahead of rivals Stephen Jones, Ronan O'Gara and Charlie Hodgson.
"The guys on the tour are fantastic players, Stephen Jones to name one," said Wilkinson in reference to the Welshman who guided his country to this year's Six Nations grand slam.
"I have enormous respect for the guy but I would love to be in the test team and would be very, very disappointed if I didn't make it."
Wilkinson, who has not played for his country since the World Cup and was given extra time by Woodward to prove his fitness before being added to the squad, believes his lack of competitive action may even give him an advantage.
"What I am is very fresh, unlike a lot of the other players, and I am in a mental state that allows me to be composed and to give myself the best possible preparation," he said.
"I've had a challenging time over the last 12 months during which I have had to show my will to succeed, competitiveness, desire to win and refusal to be beaten."
All those qualities will be needed if the Lions are to win on New Zealand soil for only the second time in their history, and Wilkinson is under no illusions about the size of the task.
"Succeeding in New Zealand would rank right up there with winning the World Cup," he said. "New Zealand as a rugby country is so talented and strong.
"Physically I am feeling fantastic, very fit, very fresh and very prepared. I am just desperate to get out there."
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