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Jones praises wily Wilko

Saturday 22nd September 2007

Samoan coach Michael Jones blowing the whistle on his career

Samoan coach Michael Jones has named England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson as the man who made the biggest difference in their World Cup Pool A match in Nantes on Saturday, a game England won 44-22.

Wilkinson, who made his first appearance on the World Cup stage since slotting the winning drop-goal in 2003, kicked 24 points - including two trademark drop-goals.

Jones, who is set to relinquish his part-time post as Samoan coach after next Wednesday's final group game against America, saluted the Newcastle maestro.

"Jonny stood his ground, which is the sign of a classy player," Jones said.

"I am sure his presence just lifts the whole England team.

"He is a machine in terms of his kicking game, and he really punished us, but it is good to see him back. He is world class."

Jones also spoke of the disappointment of not having won a game yet at the 2007 World Cup tournament - with losses to South Africa, Tonga and now England - after being touted as possible play-off candidates before the tournament.

"We put England under a lot of pressure, but in the end they put us to the sword," Jones said.

"We are very disappointed - we set our sights very high.

"We were committed to reaching the quarter-finals. It is hard when it is four years in the making, and you fall short.

"We fancied our chances at 26-22 behind. We had really targeted this game, and we have fallen short of our mission, which is the biggest disappointment."

Jones also had a warning for England, ahead of their pool decider against the Tongans in Paris next Friday.

"Tonga are playing very well," Jones said of the Pacific Islanders, following their gritty performance in going down by just five points (25-30) to South Africa earlier in the day.

"They are a team with their tails up that is full of confidence.

"I have always believed the Tongans are one of the sleeping giants. They have definitely got the playing talent pool.

"But I still think England have too much firepower across the field, and they know how to win these type of games.

"England withstood us really well, and showed their class and professionalism. There are signs, definitely, England are on the way back.

"It was a big step up for them in terms of the last performance [against South Africa]. That was the best England team that has played in this World Cup."