Why have the media pushed blame on recent england rugby performances on Wilkinson? He's still an extremely...

Question

good player and i'll doubt that Cipriani will ever reach his high standards and professionalism. Cipriani is arrogant, bound to and has bedded celeb s***s and swears on TV - taking no consideration about how old the viewers are. On the other hand, Wilkinson has been unlucky with injury, but when not injured consistantly performed at the very highest level internationally, and his training regime is second to none.

Answer 1

When the team win he gets all the praise. When they lose he is bound to be blamed.

Answer 2

I'm an All Black supporter and I reckon that Johnny W. is still one of the best 1st 5's in the world.    He's been shafted by a coach that hasn't really got a clue.

Answer 3

The whole team were to blame and the coach!! Ashton should have dropped at least 6 players for the Ireland game. Wilko took the brunt, what I didn't like was the fact that every time Cipriani got his big toe near the ball the commentators ( namely Nick bloody Mullins) were singing his praises ???!!!!!

Utter rubbish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

People love controversy. When a team looses they always pick the one person who has done great in the past to blame. They have made a name for themselves and they tend to stand out from others, so naturally their name comes to mind when placing blame. But the team is only as good as it's weakest players, the coach has something to do with it too.

I think that they should look at the coach, and not dump it all on Johnny. He is not the only one on the field.

Answer 5

In New Zealand we talk about Tall Poppy Syndrome - the one who stand out are easiest to see and are most likely to get their heads cut off.....

Johnny is awesome. Anyone who watches rugby can appreciate that (unless they have a national bias) and he would make any team in the world (with perhaps the exception of the All Blacks where Dan Carter might just rival Johnny for talent).

The answer to your question is that the "media" aren't really interested in rugby, they are only interested in opinions and perceptions. I bet Ireland were thinking "thank God they haven't picked Johnny" and not "oh no, they've picked Cipriani, what ever will we do..."

Answer 6

To be honest, he should not have been the only one dropped after the Scottish game.........The "Volcano" comes to my mind.

WTF is he there for?

WTF does he do?

He was made a scapegoat!