The hard work has finally paid off for Wilkinson

By Scott Dougal, PA Sport

Focussed. Talented. A natural leader. Knowledgeable. Terrific.

You'd have to go a long way to find someone with a bad word to say about Jonny Wilkinson after scoring a drop goal to win the rugby World Cup for England.

But, talking to the men who have worked with him throughout his rugby career, there is an easy but substantial affection for an "ordinary guy" which goes deeper than admiration for his achievements on the pitch.

John Fairley, a youth coach at Farnham rugby club, near Wilkinson's childhood Surrey home, was one of the first to work with the fly-half.

Wilkinson's father Phil - who played competitive rugby regularly until he was past his 40th birthday - took him along in a bid to instil a love of the game in his son.

He didn't have to try too hard.

While Fairley is reluctant to say Wilkinson was obviously a better player than his peers in the club's black and white hoops, he believes it is his passion for rugby which has earned him a leading role on the game's biggest stage.

"The group he was with was such a highly-talented group," said Fairley.

"He's got natural skills but what's happened is the higher he's gone in the game, the better he's played."

Fairley is certainly happy to talk all day about the ability Wilkinson showed at an early age but he is just as keen to reiterate the old adage that there is no substitute for hard work.

He said: "If you want to attain the highest level, you can have all the talent in the world but unless you harness that, unless you can take the training workload you won't make it.

"He (Wilkinson) was the epitome of that. He had immense natural talent and he's harnessed it by being focused."

Wilkinson captained rugby teams at all ages at local and regional level and he also played cricket and tennis to a high standard.

As Fairley points out: "If he turned to golf, he'd be winning the Open."

For Alan Dyson, who coached Wilkinson for his school team, his potential to succeed was encapsulated in a single moment.

Wilkinson attended Lord Wandsworth College, a public school in Hampshire, and quickly established himself as the star player for the rugby team.

"It was his handling that was outstanding," said Dyson.

"In one game at under-16 level, he got a bad ball from the scrum-half which was dipping in front of him.

"He dived forward to catch it and before he hit the ground he'd passed it to the inside centre."

In that instant, the teacher knew he would have the privilege of watching a special talent in its infancy.

He added: "I remember saying, if this guy doesn't make it then nobody will from our school."

Like Fairley at Farnham, Dyson believes that Wilkinson has the authority to take charge on the field.

"He's a natural leader," he said. "And it showed up on the sports field."

After leaving Lord Wandsworth, Wilkinson had the chance to go to Durham University but he turned it down in favour of joining his mentor Rob Andrew at Newcastle.

Gary Armstrong, now a coach at The Borders regional side in his native Scotland, was something of a grizzled veteran at Kingston when a fresh-faced, 18-year-old Wilkinson arrived in the north-east.

"He was just a boy," said Armstrong but it was not Wilkinson's youth which struck the former Scotland scrum-half.

"He was very talented and the amount of work he put in at training was remarkable for a kid of that age.

"I've never seen someone that age spend so long on the training park on his own."

Wilkinson's extra-time score which clinched victory at the Telstra Stadium guarantees 24-year-old's status as one of the most marketable commodities in English sport.

But, while Wilkinson is unlikely to tear up the cheques, Armstrong does not believe he is as comfortable in the spotlight as, say, his partner in the adidas adverts, David Beckham.

He added: "To be honest, Jonny is very level-headed. He doesn't really like all the attention. Probably he'd rather just play rugby."

Newcastle Steve Black coach has no fears for Wilkinson, though. He has watched the fly-half move from virtual unknown, to England mainstay, to national hero with frightening speed.

But Black is certain at least one thing will keep his feet on the ground - the joy of playing rugby.

"He's still got that same boyish enthusiasm for the game and that's stayed with him," he said.

"People are very fortunate if they can find something they can do with their lives that they love doing and that's what Jonny had."

Wilkinson has won rugby's biggest prize, he is the best player in the world's best team but Black had some ominous words for those men who don't play the game in an England jersey.

"He's evolving as a player and he probably won't reach his peak until he's 30 or so."