Wilkinson hails Giteau and says time is right to bow out
England great and ‘inspirational’ Australian star in Toulon’s European Cup triumph over Saracens
Jonny Wilkinson said playing alongside "inspirational" former Australia centre Matt Giteau had convinced him now was the right time to retire.
Wilkinson and Giteau - "the ultimate professional" in the eyes of the England great - were both members of the star-studded Toulon side that retained the European Cup with a 23-6 win over Saracens in the final at Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
The match was 2003 World Cup-winner Wilkinson's last on British soil, with the flyhalf retiring after Toulon's French Top 14 final against Castres this weekend. Wilkinson was faultless in kicking 13 points against London side Saracens, his haul including a drop-goal off his weaker, right foot, just as he'd done to seal England's extra-time World Cup final against Australia in Sydney 11 years ago.
I’ve been given way too much respect, I’ve been given too much of an easy life compared to others who have deserved so much more but haven’t had it
But it was Giteau's 29th-minute try that propelled Toulon into a lead they never surrendered.
Toulon captain Wilkinson switched play with an inside pass to Giteau, whose clever chip kick into space saw Drew Mitchell beat Saracens full-back Alex Goode to the ball.
Former Wallaby wing Mitchell then passed out of the tackle to the supporting Giteau, who followed up his own kick, and the centre raced in for a try.
"He's exceptional," Wilkinson said of the 31-year-old Giteau, who won the last of his 92 caps in 2011.
"I don't quite know how a team ever let him go in Australia to come over here [Europe]," Wilkinson added of the playmaker, who left the ACT Brumbies for France after a 2011 World Cup where he failed to make the Wallaby squad.
