If the family sits down to Christmas dinner this year minus a couple of kids, losing Rugby World Cup coach Eddie Jones says that chances are they’ll be practicing drop goals in the backyard.
Every christmas there is something new to spoil the kiddies with: Ninja Turtles, video games, mountain bikes or a skateboard.
This year Jones fears the gift de jour will be a pair of Jonny Wilkinson kicking boots and some tips on converting territory into points.
Jones had to watch star England fly half Jonny Wilkinson snatch the RWC 2003 from the Wallabies 99 minutes into a 100 minute epic final at Telstra Stadium with a trademark drop goal, off his wrong right foot.
Jones said the impact of the Wilkinson drop goal in the 20-17 England victory was yet to be fully appreciated.
"Like his commercial, he's pretty flash,” Jones said. “He's an absolute one out of the box. He's able to convert field position into points.
"He's had a significant impact on the game and he's a big factor in England winning the World Cup.
"There's probably kids out there, all in the northern hemisphere who are going to be wearing his boots and kicking drop goals.”
The Wallabies kept Wilkinson below his Tournament average of 16 points a game but the 15 points he contributed proved the difference.
The sharp shooter ended the Tournament as the most prolific points scorer with 113 from six games.
Wallaby captain George Gregan could only praise Wilkinson’s ability under the pressure of expectation and the pressure the Wallaby defence was able to muster against him.
"He missed a few early in the match but he knocked the one over that counted and you've got to take your hat off to him for that,” Gregan said.
The Wallabies battled back from a 14-5 half-time deficit to level the scores at 14-14 at full time.
Both sides scored an excellent try apiece in wet and greasy conditions and Wilkinson and Australian centre Elton Flatley each landed four penalty goals in a pulsating match that proved a fitting climax to the fifth RWC.
Australian winger Lote Tuqiri scored the opening try in the sixth minute after leaping above fellow rugby league convert Jason Robinson to catch a pinpoint cross kick by flyhalf Stephen Larkham, giving the defending champions hope that the world number one ranked team could be beaten.
England responded with calm consideration orchestrated by Wilkinson, clawing back in to the match with a brilliant try started by the much maligned Lawrence Dallaglio, whose exquisite running arc and inside ball allowed Wilkinson the time and space to put Robinson over in the 38th minute.
England went to the break 14-5 leaders. Australia fought back after the break winning three penalties calmly piloted between the posts by Flatley to tie the scores at 14-14 at 78 minutes.