Wilko backs Brian
11 Dec 2007
Jonny Wilkinson has thrown his support behind England coach Brian Ashton.
Senior players Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt slammed Ashton in their recent autobiographies, but Wilkinson believes he is the right choice.
“He has always been a guy that can take the game forward,” said the flyhalf. “Brian can create an atmosphere and also release players into being fully ambitious and really daring to go out and play, as opposed to fearing failure. You can only go on what you’ve seen and the guy has taken us to the World Cup final in what was a tiny, tiny space of preparation.
“Brian’s man-management skills are fantastic, he ensures you are comfortable and happy but also makes sure you know what is going on.”
Ashton’s current contract with the RFU runs out on 31 December and he is keen to continue in his role.
“I want to win the 2011 World Cup because I’ve got players coming through the game that can do that,” said Ashton.
34 Comments
11 Dec 2007, 08:59 am
1st? History is made
11 Dec 2007, 09:08 am
драконы!!!!!
11 Dec 2007, 09:40 am
Dan Carter came out today and endorsed Graham Henry as coach of the AB’s.
Wow, what a bold decision!
11 Dec 2007, 09:47 am
Brads GH is the man. Name another coach in all of History that has lead his team to so many continuous victories?
11 Dec 2007, 09:48 am
4…and failed to win the one that mattered most…
11 Dec 2007, 11:54 am
4
They’re not continous. They lost twice this year and plenty more times to SA. They cheated the Lions out of a decent shot.
And Arsene Wenger went on a long unbeaten run.
Keep your blinkered history.
11 Dec 2007, 11:57 am
He wants to win the 2011 World Cup. Shame, pore oke – will he even make it to the World Cup. How old is he now? About 80?
11 Dec 2007, 12:14 pm
# 6 so we lost twice in a year- hows does Ashtons Travelling Circus of pretenders shape up BH? Dads Army has been a laughing stock on the world stage for four years, while you have been the butt of the Chump jokes, the AB’s were setting the standards you poor boy.
Has Hatton got off the floor yet? Fights been over for a couple of days. Not talking about the ring floor either.
Cheated the lions haha- yes three times and then cheated them at home as well. Laughing more at your record against them and how sad you must feel knowing they will never be anything again.
Golden boy – yes that was an important one but we move on, we can and we have a pretty good start to everyone else that lost as well. It would be worse if we were below,say, Argentina in the world rankings, that would be downright humiliating but we can hold our heads high and look forward. England can only go up as well as you cant fall off the bottom.
11 Dec 2007, 12:26 pm
Yes, Captain, you do have a jump on the rest of the world…again, but NZ’s approach to International rugby when to compared to the rest of the world seems to be poles apart.
Whereas NZ focusses on maintaining the winning culture, the rest seems to be focussing primarily on the WC. Now I’m not going to debate the merits since each side has some valid points.
My point is that unfortunately the next three years will be all about rebuilding in the rest of the world, while NZ goes on another blinder, but come WC year, the world would once again have caught up with NZ.
11 Dec 2007, 14:28 pm
Cheated the lions – he he he he !!!!!!
11 Dec 2007, 14:41 pm
8
NZ are a Quarter Final team. that throw it around stuff doesn’t work against real men. 72% possession and your adidas poofter backs couldn’t get over the gain line.
11 Dec 2007, 15:01 pm
9
No fear goldenboy, England are ready to take over again.
11 Dec 2007, 16:37 pm
rebuilding imply something that is broken. the Boks are not in need of rebuilding.
12 Dec 2007, 08:53 am
#12 ha ha jeez your good for a laugh. What exactly are Ashtons circus ready to ‘ take over’ exactly- the wax museum. Pack of plodders who grub around pretending to play rugby. You lot have had four years to get ready to ‘take over’. Obviously the ring master put a bit of viagra in the water bottles so dads army could get through a couple of games– but take over. Argentina are at the gate mate and they aint gonna let you nancy boys in. Actually it wouldnt surprise me if fall below the Scots where you havae been for most of History– WAA haaa
12 Dec 2007, 08:57 am
p.s is Ricky in rehab yet??
That fight was bit like the poms and the AB’s — you get away with it until you meet the consummate proffessional- then you get your head on a platter.
12 Dec 2007, 10:32 am
Ok looks like someone didnt like my post as it seems to have disappeared from here.
Who would have deleted it and why?
12 Dec 2007, 10:38 am
Ig you must have deleted it.Honestly it was some of my best work,put it back on but put in $%#^&* instead of some of the words i used,if that was the problem.
12 Dec 2007, 11:24 am
#17 Hurri’s what on earth did you write to get deleted?? I missed it but at a guess I would say it would have been in response to bh’s comments on the AB’s backline.
Dont worry mate he’s just another one Ashtons clowns with bad face paint.
Any gos on Nonu and his plans or what he’s up to?
Was great to hear about the boys doing some charity work in Papua New Guinea as well.
12 Dec 2007, 11:30 am
#5 GB- they all matter mate, it really comes down to the one you are playing at the time. For myself and a few others the Bledisloe is right up there in the stakes as the ‘important’ one.
13 Dec 2007, 02:28 am
#18
Yep Captain,it was a hit at Big Hit of course,i love it.And i am sure half the stuff he says he dosnt believe it himself but he likes the bites.
Thinking of it do you think Keo is Big Hit,maybe to get a few more posts?
13 Dec 2007, 04:52 am
hurricane – keo is as much big hitt as he is tackler. these are just 2 people who crave attention for all the wrong reasons.
13 Dec 2007, 08:11 am
Cheers Hurricane whats the gos on Nonu? Anthting happening.
munkiboi you are dead right, now I jsut give it back when I’ve had enough of his weak character.
Can you guys believe they are sending Wayne Barnes to NZ to officiate an AB game this coming year. He has got to be out of his mind to go to NZ. Really Paddy must really dislike him. I would not be at all surprised if he came to some grief– absolutley idiocity sending him there this clos after the WC.
13 Dec 2007, 09:26 am
Cane, Munki, Captain…I assume you boys are on the other side of the big river…therefore the early posts?
13 Dec 2007, 10:07 am
#23 GH- I’m a kiwi living in Melbourne OZ.Currently 7.05pm here and a humid old night for melbourne. Where are you? Cane, I think is in good old windy Wellington, not sure about Munki.
13 Dec 2007, 10:07 am
sorry GB.
13 Dec 2007, 22:56 pm
#23
Hey Golden Boy
I am living in Christchurch,and a Hurricane supporter as i was born in Wellington and lived most of my life there.
13 Dec 2007, 23:03 pm
#22
Hey Captain,i havnt heard anything about Nonu at the moment
14 Dec 2007, 04:50 am
14
lol @ you focusing on the fictional rankings. Our trophies are solid gold mate.
15
Consummate professionals don’t choke.
18
How can you accuse me of face paint and then talk about Nonu in the same post?
20
I believe everything I say otherwise I would not say it. And yes the ABs are mentally weak.
22
This is rugby, there’s no room for idiocy. Wayne Barnes will be fine, I trust the NZ public.
14 Dec 2007, 07:27 am
Sorry Hurricane, thought you were in Wellington.
Deans got the job and I wish him well, he served NZ well and still has the Crusaders for 2008′
#28 The rankings aint fictional,only you want them to be. Sorry about the Falklands.
If ‘consummate professionals dont choke what happened to the defending champs and Ricky Hatton— both got nailed big time!!
As for Nonu, when your man enough you can wear what you want- you dont have an excuse.
Problem with split personalities is they believe in what they are saying to each other.
It shows what a fool you really are to think that poor excuse for a Ref is going to be alright with 24/7 security. As for trusting the NZ public you have to realise he’s a pom first and crashed the AB’s. He aint safe mate and can nearly guarantee he wont be doing any sight seeing without dressing up as a Rabi or something.
Keep posting to show everyone just how out of touch with reality you really are.
14 Dec 2007, 08:52 am
Captain
I’m in sunny Cape Town, home of the ‘mighty’ Stormers. Personally, I can’t wait for the Super 14 to get going. I would like to see how our two finalists of this year match up with the full strength NZ teams.
I know some of my Dutchie friends are all for the Bulls reatining the title, but methinks it will be the Sharks vs all the NZ teams. As for my team, another mid-table finish is all I can expect from them. How do you guys rate the NZ teams’ chances next year?
BH. Do you follow the Super 14 or is such a competition below your impecably high standards?
14 Dec 2007, 08:55 am
As for Wayne Barnes…I hope he has his will sorted out, ‘cos he is not going to make it back to England.
14 Dec 2007, 13:20 pm
30
I follow it, Sharks fan. Good comp, v.exciting.
29
No prizes for rankings, they mean little. Until all the fixtures are put into a league format in the so called world series rankings will always count for nothing.
Regarding Barnes, come on Fantail, thats ridiculous. Its a game. I thought he did okay. Not perfect but not bad at all. I think he’ll be fine, the NZ public are a mature lot, in the main.
15 Dec 2007, 00:05 am
GB – am not sure who we will be looking at this year as they are all relatively hot property. The usual suspects spring to mind, Crusaders, Blues but Ihave a feeling the Hurricanes are going to be as ready as any of them- and overdue to make their mark as well.Yep I would put the Sharks at the top of SA teams( as far as I have seen)thus far.
Cant see OZ has alot of depth to endanger anyones hopes seriously, just the reality.
So my call tinged with hope is the Hurricanes/ Blues meeting Bulls/Sharks. I am a Crusaders supporter but dont think they will make the play offs this year.
BH– yes it is a game and thats all. Mark my words he will be better off keeping a very low profile over there. We are talking alot of very pissed of people that blame Barnes for financial losses as well, not to mention pride.
A bar b que last weekend was a young couple who had a tour booked and paid plus tickets for the semis and finals, leaving the morning after the
QF loss to France. Barnes, even though possibly quite innocent of all accusations etc is the sole figure people (o=punters included)have to vent, particularly when money is involved.
Sad but true.
15 Dec 2007, 07:12 am
GB – nearly fogot, would not count out the Western force for added pressue this year.
The other side of the Crusaders is that Robbie Deans will also be wanting to make a statement in the closing of business in NZ and how he handles the rigours of trans Tasman trainging between the Crusaders and the Wallabies.
He will not be wanting to go out on a losing note.
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