Wilkinson upsets some viewers after on-air knowledge fail
Brave England hero Jonny Wilkinson’s apparent lack of knowledge about the Italian team has left some viewers a bit miffed. Wilkinson was asked about young Italian 10 Paolo Garbisi, the up-and-coming Montpellier 10 that’s been turning heads this season and last, to be fair last year too.
Wilkinson wasn’t aware of him.
Rugby scribe Will Owen was particularly put out by the zinger from former World Cup winning England 10.
Will Owen noted: “Paolo Garbisi is one of the most promising fly-halves in the world, and I was intrigued to hear Jonny Wilkinson’s view on him. When ITV asked, Jonny evidently hadn’t heard of him.
“He’s getting paid to talk about the match. On television. In public. Rugby punditry is ass.”
Paolo Garbisi is one of the most promising fly-halves in the world, and I was intrigued to hear Jonny Wilkinson's view on him. When ITV asked, Jonny evidently hadn't heard of him.
He's getting paid to talk about the match. On television. In public. Rugby punditry is ass.
— Will Owen (@will_owen9) February 13, 2022
The truth is that Wilkinson is not as involved in rugby as he once was, and other than the punditry circuit a few times a year, is much less involved than many fans might think.
While he’s coached England kickers, he’s more likely to be found pursuing a life well away from the sport, which he has admitted he struggled to deal with as a player.
He’s actually pretty into eastern mysticism and all that type of stuff.
— Jonny Wilkinson (@JonnyWilkinson) January 27, 2022
Anyway, we guess he should really know the Italy flyhalf if he’s being paid to do punditry on a Six Nations match.
We still love you Jonny!
