Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell ask advice from Jonny Wilkinson
Thursday 17 September 2015 01:50, UK
Jonny Wilkinson was sought out for advice by Australia's Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell to help the Wallabies' bid for World Cup glory on English soil.
Toulon's Wallaby duo admit calling on England's 2003 hero and former club-mate Wilkinson for the inside track on what it is like to win a World Cup away from home.
Australia flyer Mitchell conceded the Wallabies would love nothing more than to spoil England's home World Cup by claiming the Webb Ellis Trophy, gaining revenge for 2003.
England stole the crown from hosts Australia some 12 years back, with the Wallabies now looking to return the favour.
"We know Jonny reasonably well from our time in Toulon," said centre Giteau.
"He's been open about it, about how it was one of the best things but also one of the most difficult things he has gone through with the fame and attention.
"We have been able to speak to him about the good and bad side of it all."
Toulon stars Giteau and Mitchell are back in Australia's ranks after the Wallabies relaxed their selection policy on overseas-based players.
Giteau and England World Cup winner Wilkinson formed a devastating inside-back partnership at Toulon, helping the Cote d'Azur club to two-straight Heineken Cup titles.
Wilkinson retired before Toulon pressed on to an unprecedented third successive European crown, with Giteau and Mitchell since drafted back into the Wallabies set-up.
Australia, England and Wales have been thrown together in the so-called 'group of death' Pool A, with one of the three traditional powers to miss out on the quarter-finals.
Australia head coach Michael Cheika is expected to use all 31 players across their opening two clashes against Fiji and Uruguay, to keep as many of his stars as fresh as possible for the decisive clashes against Wales and England.
The Wallabies will open their World Cup account by facing Fiji in Cardiff on Wednesday, September 23, with wing Mitchell not shy about their ambitions to go the distance.
"That's something we want to achieve, of course," said Mitchell, when quizzed on whether the Wallabies are keen to avenge England's 2003 victory on Australian soil.
"We want to achieve the ultimate, but there is a lot to go through, prepare and execute before that.
"If we get the opportunity to prepare for a game like that then we will look at that. For now the focus is on Fiji."
