“Not World Cup Final standard” – Jon Wilkin lays into Samoa half-back for being ‘poor all night’

BBC pundit Jon Wilkin was not holding back in his criticism of Samoa half-back Anthony Milford following their 30-10 defeat to Australia in the World Cup Final.

Wilkin laid into Milford for his defensive performance at Old Trafford following the game, claiming he was at fault for two of the Kangaroos tries.

“Milford was poor,” said Wilkin. “He was poor all night. He got it wrong on Cameron Murray for that try. He just got caught ball watching twice.

“He got caught in the first half not doing his job, he then got caught again for the Murray try not doing his job.”

In truth Samoa’s defeat wasn’t just down to Milford, with Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos showing their class throughout in a game they always had control of after a closely fought first 15 minutes.

Fellow BBC pundits Robbie Hunter-Paul, Jamie Peacock and Danika Priim went on to cut Milford some slack following Wilkin’s comments, putting his lack of concentration down to fatigue.

However, the former St Helens man didn’t agree as he told presenter Mark Chapman exactly what he thought of the 28-year-old’s display at the Theatre of Dreams.

He added: “Australia are that team that always put you in a position to make poor decisions, like Brandon Smith last week for New Zealand. They are just very clinical with the ball.

“But I’m not buying it though. Milford was poor, he was poor tonight. He got that wrong in the first half. That’s not World Cup Final standard defence.”