Jonny Wilkinson marked his return to international rugby by rescuing a share of the spoils for the British and Irish Lions in their 25-25 draw against an under-strength Argentina at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Monday.
The England flyhalf, who had not played Test rugby because of a variety of injuries since booting the winning drop goal at the 2003 World Cup final, kicked 20 points, landing all seven of his shots at goal in what was a warm-up game for the Lions tour of New Zealand.
Argentina had been 13-0 up and saw their flyhalf Federico Todeschini also kick 20 points.
Wilkinson tied the scores with the last kick five minutes of stoppage time after Ireland’s Gordon D’Arcy could have won the game with a try for the home side but knocked on yards from the line.
Wilkinson breathed a sigh of relief at converting his last-gasp kick.
”I wasn’t hoping for one of those tonight!” said Wilkinson. ”It’s tough [the result] but it’s a good tough start. Argentina aren’t going to give you an easy ride because they are a class outfit.
”We did get away with a draw, but we had a lot of pressure on them in the end. Nobody was under the illusion it was going to be easy.
”We have to take positives out of it. However, it’s a short time to work together [since they came together as a squad].
”There were glimpses there of us coming together, but we did lose the ball. It was very tough out there but it would have been worse if we hadn’t come together out there.”
Lions captain for the night Michael Owen conceded that the Argentinians were the better side.
”It was a difficult game, the Pumas played really well and were the better side,” admitted the back-row forward, who captained the Welsh to grand slam glory last season.
”It is bitterly disappointing, but we have to take positives from a draw. We were trying to keep the ball, but were consistently turning it over.
”I am relieved, but a bit disappointed. However, like any sport you have your highs and your lows.”
The Lions, who have won only one of their 10 previous Test series in New Zealand, begin their 11-match tour against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on June 4, with the first of three Tests against the All Blacks at Christchurch on June 25. — Sapa-AFP