Jonny Wilkinson: Simulation doesn't help team
Thursday 17 September 2015 15:23, UK
Jonny Wilkinson has criticised the use of unsporting behaviour and simulation ahead of the World Cup.
John Jeffrey, chairman of the World Rugby match officials selection committee, has revealed that yellow cards will be used during the tournament to crack down on diving and appeals to the referee and 2003 World Cup winner Wilkinson admits that such behaviour should have no place in the sport.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Wilkinson said: "I've never found myself taking a dive as such; I can't imagine why you would.
"But also in rugby if you get hit, you get hit. The other thing also that's passing through your mind is every second or millisecond you spend on the floor, you're not helpful, you're not doing something positive for your team. That's why it is all about getting back onto your feet immediately."
He added: "Even at times when I have had neck injuries, one of the great messages and it is obviously a careful one, if you can get up, get up.
"Because also sometimes those pains go very quickly and you're on the floor... so you get into place and you move on. The idea that you stay down longer for whatever reason is a funny one.
"It doesn't really make sense but if people think it's there and they can find examples of it then great. I would never want to stay down, I wouldn't want someone to think they had got a got shot on me.
"It would be the opposite, I'd want to get up no matter how much to say 'no, you haven't touched me.' So it's maybe the other way to look at it for me, but I respect needs to be shown and if it is not being shown then there must be ways that can increase it.
"But I trust the values of the sport. I think the guys will be there to win and to do whatever it takes."
