Wilkinson set for French fling
11 May 2009
Big spending French club Toulon are likely to secure the services of England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson next week.
The English media are reporting that Wilkinson will make the move, report to be worth around R11 million a year, following Toulon’s victory over Dax at the weekend which secures their place in the Top 14.
The fact that his current club Newcastle have announced the signing of Blues flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth seems to further confirm that Wilkinson is on his way out.
The Guardian reports that Wilkinson, who has only recently started training after dislocating his knee in September 2008, passed a medical in Toulon last week.
Wilkinson will join Springbok flanker and Toulon captain Joe van Niekerk as well as All Blacks legend Tana Umaga, who takes up a managerial role next season, in the south of France. He won’t, however, link with the rampaging All Blacks flank Jerry Collins, after Toulon announced he would join Welsh club Ospreys for the 2009/10 season.
18 Comments
11 May 2009, 09:38 am
pom legend
11 May 2009, 09:38 am
Jonny Sicknote will be in the local hospital within a week.
11 May 2009, 11:12 am
#2 TheTackler: alongside Dan Sicknote
11 May 2009, 12:52 pm
This Frenchie loves buying over priced has beens.
Who next Mike Catt.
Now there’s a mouthfull BH.
11 May 2009, 14:31 pm
#4 cane:
Dont forget that, acording to BH, Wilko “doesnt need to sign for money because he’s already worth £20m”.
Hmmmmmm.
So please list the reasons ANYONE signs for Toulon apart from money.
Let me guess:-
1. ‘the challenge’. Presumably that means the challenge to avoid relegation. So, different to his club Newcastle, then ?
2. ‘Lifestyle’. Isnt lifestyle what they mean by living by the beach and getting paid truckloads ? So, retirement is actually what you mean, like Beckham to LA Galaxy ?
3. Improving yourself. Thats just another term for 1 and 2 isnt it ? Surely ‘improving my bank balance’ is what they mean ?
Have got no problem with players chasing the dosh once theyve had lengthy rep careers like Wilko have and others at Toulon like Collins, Big Joe, Tana etc. Lets just cut the cr*p tho and quit pretending its got nothing to do with the dosh. “Oh no, Jonny wouldnt do THAT, he’s better than that….”.
He’s played less games than Darren Anderton anyway, so thats unfair usage of ‘Sicknote’.
11 May 2009, 15:00 pm
#5 BlackPanther: it’s not actually to do with the money on Wilkinson’s part, he’s loaded, Newcastle needed the money after forking out heaps on Hayman.
And, he’s hardly retiring if he’s still going to play for England.
#4 cane: Catt has played in two more World Cup finals than Dan Carter and his useless Hurricane NZ squad mates
11 May 2009, 15:08 pm
#6 Big Hit:
OK, youve established – repeatedly – that Wilko doesnt do anything ‘for the money’.
So
why sign for Toulon ?
11 May 2009, 15:11 pm
That’s like paying top dollar for an ex race horse with an injury and expecting him to win at Ascot…
A waste of money in the long run.
It’s a big maybe, but Wilko could finally have an injury free season but saying that, how much rugby has he actually played in the last 6 years and how much time off has he had through injury.
11 May 2009, 15:28 pm
#6 Big Hit:
Sorry, I forget. Which country did England buy Mike Catt from ? its hard to keep track of them all. In other countries they atleast have the decency to give them a school education 1st. In England, the clubs just go out with a chequebook and skip the whole schooling process, such an inconvenience.
11 May 2009, 15:39 pm
#7 BlackPanther: because he wanted to experience a new culture as he’s been learning French for 3 years and his club wanted the money from his contract buy-out.
#9 BlackPanther: Catt wasn’t invited he came around of his own accord like all cats do
11 May 2009, 15:44 pm
#10 Big Hit:
so its right. You believe anything.
11 May 2009, 15:50 pm
#11 BlackPanther: ok, the guy is worth millions, rejects big money sponsorship deals worth millions yet is going to France for the money…ok.
It’ll be interesting to see how he goes with SBW and JVN and co.
11 May 2009, 16:00 pm
#12 Big Hit:
Perhaps he’s a manic depressive and just loves playing for sh*t rugby teams. Newcastle. Toulon. (technically)England 2004->. Lions 2005.
Man, now that you mention it, he’s gonna need all that loot just for the therapy. Its seems like he’s an acute case.
11 May 2009, 16:19 pm
#13 BlackPanther: Toulon were only sh*t under the spear tackler, they’ll be much better under Saint-Andre next season. And isn’t it amazing that despite playing for all these poor teams he’s won every team and individual honour there is.
11 May 2009, 16:59 pm
#14 Big Hit:
The Spear Tackler got Toulon promoted from Div II, a historical 1st for them.
Neverthless, Toulon signing a star player as their Head Coach despite zero experience of coaching was clearly a sign of desperation. Signing Leaguies yet another. What next, a 3-legged horse ? Oh, Mr Wilkinson, the next mug straight off the boat. Welcome aboard the HMS Shambles.
I cant remember England 2004-> or Lions 2005 winning anything. Not a sausage.
He was so good for those teams, its a struggle to remember whether he was even involved.
12 May 2009, 00:33 am
well lets hope Toulon have spent enough money to update their first aid cabinet.I see they will need alot of sticky plasters,you know the ones with Mickey mouse on them
12 May 2009, 11:07 am
#4 cane: Thee oww mightily shall halt those who call valuable players has beens in a little tournament called World Cup. Let the rain slam down on the Men in Black (White jerseys vs. France) (semi-final Eden Park)
12 May 2009, 13:16 pm
#17 Wayne Barnes no.1 Ref:
You are plainly a d*ckhead so the name is entirely appropriate. Those that focus on the negative are doomed to a life spent in the shadows.
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