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Rugby Union

New balls 'a challenge' for Wilkinson

26/09/2007

Jonny Wilkinson has admitted that getting used to the new World Cup balls has presented him with a new challenge.

The England fly-half missed two kicks against Samoa at the weekend and said he was concerned about the movement of the ball in the air, despite the lack of wind.

Wilkinson, who is famous for his obsessive training regime, has been practising with the Gilbert-made balls and hopes to satisfy his worries ahead of the crunch Pool A game with Tonga on Friday.

"I have been kicking better in practice than I did against Samoa," he told the BBC. "After the game I just wanted to get straight back out there."

Changes to the ball design were made ahead of the World Cup to improve handling when the ball is wet from the ground or when players' hands are sweaty.

Other players, including New Zealand's Dan Carter, have also spoken out about the new balls.

Wilkinson made seven of his nine attempts against Samoa on Saturday, helping England to a vital 44-22 victory to get their faltering World Cup campaign back on track.

He has now fully recovered from his ankle injury – the latest in a series of fitness problems – and will line up against Tonga for another must-win game.

Captain Phil Vickery is available again after serving a two-game ban, but has to settle for a place on the bench.