Sir Clive Woodward calls Jonny Wilkinson Rugby Union's David Beckham
While talking to Daily Telegraph on December 12, Sir Clive Woodward branded Jonny Wilkinson as the David Beckham of Rugby Union. He believes that Wilkinson’s extraordinary on field skills set him apart from other derby players.
These comments were made by the English coach, after the 32-year-old English fly-half announced his retirement from the international level of rugby union but he will continue playing for the French club, Toulouse. The reason why the English player is so
close to Woodward’s heart is because his selection in the English squad for the very first time was made by the coach himself when he was only 18-year-old.
Expressing his views about one of the world’s best rugby union players, Woodward said, “He took the game to another level, not just here in England but all over the world. I always felt that if we, as a sport, could produce genuine superstars – the kind
of players that kids would want to become, or look up to as superb professionals, it could really help the game and he absolutely fitted into that category. He’s in the same bracket as David Beckham, in terms of the impact he made in his own sport. Kids could
relate to him, people admired him – even people who weren’t necessarily diehard rugby fans.”
The player is remembered for his last minute drop goal which led to English side’s World Cup 2003 glory against Australia, in Sydney. Woodward added that with the departure of the English fly-half, it is an end of an era for English side that had celebrated
World Cup 2003 triumph. He acknowledged that the player will be remembered for a very long time for his professionalism, hard work and straight forwardness. These were his key traits which had helped him reach the lavish profile of his.
Moreover, English coach added that he felt honoured to have him on board and it was a delightful experience for him to coach a brilliant player of his calibre, who continued to grow in such a grand way. He reckons that it will be very difficult to find a
replacement for a player who has already raised the bar so high.
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