Star wing Jason Robinson wants his last match for England to be a winning one – and it happens to the
World Cup final against South Africa.
"There's quite a lot of excitement. It is a massive game, there's no doubt about it," said Robinson. "I'm sure on the night there will be a certain mix of feelings. But the main thing is to stay focused. We've got a job to do, it's a very tough job, and hopefully we'll be successful."
Robinson, the defending champions' solo try-scorer in their 20-17 2003 final win over Australia, will end his 16-year career on Saturday.
"It's a game everybody's looking forward to. It's a big challenge. The last time we played them they did beat us convincingly. It's hard to say because I know I am finishing but, having been on the rugby treadmill for the last 16 years, I won't know what it's like to not be on it until next week.”
The 33-year-old quit international rugby in 2005 to focus on playing for his club side Sale, but returned to the Test arena in January this year. He pulled his hamstring in the 36-0 pool defeat by South Africa but is raring to go and has urged England to maintain the momentum that has seen unlikely wins in the knock-out matches against Australia and France.
"We were a bit slow out of the blocks, but when we have needed to win, we have,” he said. "And we have proved in the last two weeks that we can beat the best in the world. We need to do that for a third time on Saturday.
"It is the team that wants it the most and the team that makes the least mistakes. It is going to be a physical battle but you have got to play smart rugby as well. It has got all the ingredients to be a classic."
