Should Jonny retire?

[Tony Manx]

According to all reports emanating from Toulon, Boudjelall has left it up to JW to decide whether he wants to renew his contract for another season and, no doubt, JW will take his time before making his decision. Meanwhile, Laporte has said today that Kockott is definitely coming next season and Boudjelall has insisted that Kockott is committed to his pre-season contract with them and also that he told him that he had received no counter offer from Castres.....

With Kockott and Claasens (who admittedly has not played as much or as well this season), it leaves no space for Michalak who has previously expressed his desire to play 10 and no doubt PSA wants him there as Michalak is his star turn although not everybodies pick!

So with Giteau and Michalak one can argue that Toulon are covered. I say argued as I believe that JW in a wheelchair would be better than Michalak at 10 but that is my own view!!

There is little doubt that JW is not the player he was with perhaps a yard of pace gone and his never looking comfortable in a flat position for attack. I do believe that the Toulon backs seem to operate better with Giteau at 10 and JW is now missing kicks that he would be counted upon in making as per last week at Exeter which saw the home crown upset he was not kicking against them.

So should he say enough...............personally, I believe he should as believe he should leave before his game deteriorates more and there being any damage to his reputation as one of the finest guys to have played at ever...........I am not saying that he is the best 10 ever, but would suggest there are not many English players who could claim that ***le, but probably the best 10 in English history for what he has done and how he has achieved it and what he could have done had he not sufffered so many serious injuries!

 

[Peat]

Debatably the moment to retire was many seasons ago if he was concerned mainly with his reputation.

I'd back any player who wanted to keep playing. You're a long time retired after all.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I think he should, and will retire.

If he doesn't I think he'll get injured very early on next season, if he doesn't in the current one.

 

[Tony Manx]

I think he should, and will retire.

If he doesn't I think he'll get injured very early on next season, if he doesn't in the current one.

Actually, since being in France his injury record is probably the best of his career!!

 

[nickdnz]

Debatably the moment to retire was many seasons ago if he was concerned mainly with his reputation.

I'd back any player who wanted to keep playing. You're a long time retired after all.

I agree here. He managed to win player of the H-cup last season so I'd say he's done better than I'd have predicted he'd last out. Considering he's the highest paid player in the world, if he's offered a similar amount of money he'd be crazy to turn it down for another season.

 

[gaston le gaff]

I agree here. He managed to win player of the H-cup last season so I'd say he's done better than I'd have predicted he'd last out. Considering he's the highest paid player in the world, if he's offered a similar amount of money he'd be crazy to turn it down for another season.

Probably no longer the highest paid as he took a salary cut for this season, he may well retire but still has loads to offer, and would not surprise me if you see him as player coach at Toulon next season, with importance on the coaching side of the game. Boudjellal is not short of cash and would be able to pay Jonnie as a part time passenger if he wished, as far as team moral goes it would be wise to keep him in some form or other.

 

[Tony Manx]

Probably no longer the highest paid as he took a salary cut for this season, he may well retire but still has loads to offer, and would not surprise me if you see him as player coach at Toulon next season, with importance on the coaching side of the game. Boudjellal is not short of cash and would be able to pay Jonnie as a part time passenger if he wished, as far as team moral goes it would be wise to keep him in some form or other.

Very wise, very wise!

 

[Tony Manx]

Rugby 365

NEWS

Two players to replace Wilko

Sat, 14 Dec 2013 08:11

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal says he will need to buy two players to replace Jonny Wilkinson if he retires at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old World Cup winner surprised many by continuing this season but he has yet to make a decision on his future beyond the end of this campaign.

And Boudjellal says that replacing a player like Wilkinson is a task that rarely comes round.

"If his body says stop, Jonny will finish his career at the end of this season," said the president.

"I think right now, he doesn't know. I asked him if we could talk about it but he told me he wasn't yet ready to discuss it. I respect that and I'll wait to see if he extends (his contract) or not.

"In any case, he's never told me: 'I want to finish my career'. Everything depends on the next six months.

"If he has an amazing six months and he feels good, I can't see why he would stop in June. However, if he feels he's played one match too many, he'll stop.

"Having to one day replace Jonny Wilkinson is the kind of thing that falls on you once in 100 years.

"We've made choices based on managing the game and reliability as a kicker because we will have to replace two players in one: a playmaker and a kicker with a 90 percent success rate like Jonny has.

"To find all that in one player is difficult, so we'll have to find it in two."

With France halfback Frederic Michalak and former Australia flyhalf Matt Giteau also at the club, Toulon have other options at No.10 which allow them to rest Wilkinson and manage their use of the former Newcastle player.

Giteau will start at flyhalf in Saturday's European Cup clash with Exeter, with both Wilkinson and Michalak on the bench.

Even if Wilkinson does remain at the club, Boudjellal says a flyhalf will be signed.

"As for Frederic Michalak's extension (he's also out of contract at the end of the season), we're in discussions. We want him to stay at RCT.

"But we'll increase competition at flyhalf. We will sign a flyhalf."

 

[Big Ewis]

What a shame...he's always been there during my Rugby years. Definitely one of the best 10's I've seen, and a real gentleman. True humility. You'd never see him show off or put a grimace on or whine or look down on others. Just stfu, work for your team, build that body so you can even contribute defensively and put your body on the line...ultra work ethic, he could be straight up automatic from the boot for long stretches in seasons...just the perfect 10.

But he's a FKN POM too !!! BUUUUUUUUURN HIM !!!!!!!!

 

[Nielsch]

Not only will he not retire and play the 2014-15 season for Toulon, he will also return to the England roster and win the 2015 Rugby World Cup with a last minute drop-goal against New Zealand.

Ha!