Talking to the referee is part of a captain’s role on the field of play, but the final of Rugby World Cup 2003 will feature two of the most talkative skippers in England’s Martin Johnson and George Gregan of Australia.
Both Johnson and Gregan have regularly been captured on the match footage during the Tournament bending the ear of the referee, be it seeking clarity on a decision or disputing a call that went against their team.
In their 22-10 defeat of long time rivals New Zealand in the first semi final last weekend, scrum half Gregan told referee Chris White “I’m not telling you how to ref, but it’s a few times now” during one of their many discussions at Telstra Stadium.
However Gregan, the only survivor from the last Australian team to lose a Rugby World Cup match – ironically against England in the 1995 quarter finals, has vowed to curb his tongue against England.
The 84 Test cap veteran, who succeeded John Eales as captain in November 2001, has had a few tense encounters with final referee Andre Watson and is therefore keen not to antagonise the South African whistle blower.
Saying nothing at all
“Basically I won’t say much on Saturday night,” Gregan told the Sydney Morning Herald from the Wallabies base in Coffs Harbour. “As I know how he refs, I won’t be saying too much to him at all.
“We pretty much know what he does and we are prepared for it. You do your homework and you do your profiles on the referees.
”With Chris White last weekend, you knew you could approach him and he respected that, but you had to go about it the right way. Whereas you know the profile with Andre, it is different and you have to adjust.”
Gregan is cautious with a reason, not wanting to give England fly half Jonny Wilkinson, the star of their semi final defeat of France with all 24 points, a sniff of the posts within the Wallaby half of the field.
The same though could be said of Johnson in terms of Wallaby kicking machine Elton Flatley, the England captain will be keen not to give away kickable penalties as he did himself in the first half against France.
Best captain in the world?
Johnson, the only survivor in England's starting line up from that 1995 quarter final – although Jason Leonard and Mike Catt are on the bench, has captained England on 44 occasions and is the only player to captain the British Lions on two tours.
England head coach Clive Woodward certainly rates his captain highly, having earlier this week pointed to him as the leader when it comes to composure within this vastly experienced England team.
“A lot of it’s down the Martin Johnson, who I believe is the best captain in world rugby, but there are a lot of brains out there with him. People like [Lawrence] Dallaglio, [Matt] Dawson, [Neil] Back and [Jonny] Wilkinson.
“I think the high point was a year ago against Australia when we were 12 points down at Twickenham and in the last 25 minutes there was no panic and we pulled our way back into the match.”
"A top bloke"
Woodward though is not the only fan of Johnson with Gregan telling Sydney’s Daily Telegraph that he counts the England skipper, labelled the “dirtiest player alive” by Springbok captain Corne Krige before the Tournament, as a friend.
“I’ve got an immense amount of respect for him as a player,” Gregan said, “and over the years we’ve developed as good a friendship as you can with someone who lives so far away.
“He’s a top bloke who plays it hard on the field, but he’s someone who I’m happy to share a beer with post game.”
It remains to be seen though whether, in the heat of the moment with so much at stake with a third or first world title, both Gregan and Johnson will be able to refrain from their normal bout of talking rugby before enjoying a post match beer.