Rugby Union: Unquestioning Faith in Wilkinson May Be England's Downfall ; Outside-Half's Struggle to Break Down Samoan Defence Raises Doubts over His Ability to Give Woodward's Men Necessary Creative Edge

Lawton, James, The Independent (London, England)

JONNY WILKINSON has acquired an awesome reputation. He is also a demonstrably splendid young fellow: dedicated, brave, obsessive in the way that is utterly commendable in all those who have been handed remarkable talent by the gods of sport.

In an age of so many grievously distracted celebrity sportsmen, he is heart-warmingly unswerving. He wants everything of himself. He has a pitch cleared on Christmas day so that he can continue to kick a rugby ball with an uncanny, other-worldly precision. He hurts for his art, both physically and psychologically, so much indeed that at this point in the greatest adventure of his professional life it is hard - though maybe …

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Publication information: Article title: Rugby Union: Unquestioning Faith in Wilkinson May Be England's Downfall ; Outside-Half's Struggle to Break Down Samoan Defence Raises Doubts over His Ability to Give Woodward's Men Necessary Creative Edge. Contributors: Lawton, James - Author. Newspaper title: The Independent (London, England). Publication date: October 28, 2003. Page number: 24. © 2009 The Independent - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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