England stars hit back

Critical mass media: The Australian press lays into England

Chris Jones|Evening Standard|In Melbourne

14 April 2012

England rugby players today hit back at critics attempting to pick holes in their hardfought triumph against South Africa which puts them on course for the semi-finals.

Australian captain George Gregan jumped on the Springbok bandwagon by agreeing with Joost van der Westhuizen's claim that England were vulnerable.

The Springboks also claimed Martin Johnson's men were arguing amongst themselves as the pressure told while the country's leading paper, The Australian, produced a front page picture of Jonny Wilkinson with the headline: "Is that all you've got?"

England hooker Steve Thompson today dismissed the pommie bashing saying: "We just laugh about it and don't they realise that it's the rest of the England team that earns those kicks that Jonny puts over?

"If they want to block us from winning the ball and scoring tries then fine. Jonny will take every chance that they present to him.

"Their criticism is irrelevant. We knew what it was going to be like because we have all been here before and there is nothing we can do to influence the situation so we will just get on with our game."

Jason Robinson has toured Australia with the Great Britain rugby league team, Lions and England and has never known anything different from the Australian press. He said: "Having been here a number of times, you just learn to ignore the papers because we don't have any input into what's written.

"If they want to write off our massive win against South Africa then that's fine because we know what has been achieved and the contact from everyone at home lets us know how excited they are about the game."

Robinson also paid tribute to Will Greenwood, who has returned home to be with his pregnant wife Caro.

"Will did us proud on the night against South Africa and it's a very sensitive time for him," he added.

Gregan, who has been under pressure as Wallaby captain in the tournament, led the Pom bashing. He said: "England are not unbeatable because no one is unbeatable. The top six teams can knock each other off on any given day and that was the evidence of the South Africa match.

"England, looked like any team - susceptible under pressure at the right points. Even their top players made a lot of mistakes under pressure."

French coach Bernard Laporte is even urging referees to hit England hard by insisting: "Against South Africa, I found the refereeing far too lax as regards the English."

Clive Woodward is delighted leading opponents are taking so much interest in his side.

The head coach said: "Fantastic, every morning I get up and find the papers more and more amusing with some of the comments coming out. We admit it, attacking wise we didn't play at our best against South Africa but, I thought defensively we were fantastic."

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