Tindall saga ‘put to bed’ as Johnson demands progress

The Queen’s grand-daughter is due to watch husband Mike Tindall in action for the first time at the Rugby World Cup after flying into New Zealand.

Otley-born Tindall has been at the centre of controversy since joining a group of team-mates on a night out drinking in Queenstown, two days after captaining England to a 13-9 victory over Argentina.

Johnson yesterday blocked Tindall from answering some tough questions about the now infamous booze-up, insisting the whole issue had been “put to bed”.

Although players’ wives are welcome in the team hotel – Lewis Moody’s family flew in this week – Phillips’s anticipated presence will keep the story rumbling on.

But Johnson, having put a rocket up his under-performing stars following their victory over Georgia, is confident nothing will distract them.

“It’s not unusual. Players’ wives are often around before games so it’s not any big deal for this squad,” said Johnson.

“They are used to players’ wives coming in and she’s one of the players’ wives.

“She’s high-profile – but our guys train with Jonny Wilkinson every day and he’s pretty high-profile.”

Closed circuit television pictures from Queenstown’s Altitude Bar appear to show Tindall in conversation with a woman.

A bouncer has been charged with illegally obtaining the footage from the backpackers’ nightspot, which has been uploaded onto the internet and led to a week of lurid speculation.

A spokesman for the couple has said the woman in a video is an old friend – but Tindall refused to address the issue at a press conference yesterday.

The Gloucester centre, who has been recalled to face Romania, looked sheepish as he sat alongside Johnson and both men side-stepped questions. He denied the last week had been a challenging time for him and said he hoped his form would hold up “fine”.

When Tindall was then asked whether he had anything to add, whether he wanted to show some “contrition” or offer an explanation Johnson interjected.

“I said to you last week what happened, the guys went out and had a drink. We had that conversation last week,” said Johnson.

“We have moved on. We have played a game and we have another one this week. All we’ve been thinking about this week is getting better.”

Johnson had blasted England for being “sloppy” in their 41-10 victory over Georgia and for a lack of discipline in both defence and attack, which led to a “brutal” honesty session on Monday.

“If you get it wrong you will be home very quickly watching the latter stages,” said Johnson.

“Make sure you have done everything you can to be as good as you can right now.

“There is no siege mentality. I think they just want to go out and improve and be a better side.

“For some of them it’s a first World Cup and it’s about understanding what they’re in. It takes a bit of doing.

“That Argentina game was a big occasion, big crowd, and they’re starting to understand what it’s all about.

“Against Georgia I said ‘guys, this is not good enough for progressing to where we want to be’. We’ve got to go out there and be relentless and ruthless.”

While Johnson has named his strongest available side, with Tindall and Manu Tuilagi joined by Jonny Wilkinson in midfield, Romania have made 11 changes.

The Mighty Oaks are targeting their final pool match, against European Nations Cup rivals Georgia, knowing victory and third place in the group will mean qualification for the 2015 World Cup.

“They will come out and give it their absolute all. They are a proud rugby nation,” said Johnson.

Mark Cueto takes over from Delon Armitage on the England wing after shaking off a back problem while hooker Steve Thompson, prop Alex Corbisiero, lock Louis Deacon and flanker Tom Croft all come into the starting pack.

James Haskell continues at No 8 in the injury-enforced absence of Nick Easter. Johnson is also without suspended lock Courtney Lawes, while prop Matt Stevens has been struggling with an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, France back row Julien Bonnaire has begun the mind games ahead of tomorrow’s crucial World Cup clash with New Zealand by questioning whether the All Blacks will buckle beneath the weight of expectation.

Test rugby’s greatest team have dominated the game since the inception of the World Cup yet have won the tournament just once, the inaugural event in 1987.

“The All Blacks know we are unpredictable, both in a good and a bad way actually. We can either fail or pull it off – and that is what they fear,” he said.

“Clearly there are high expectations from a whole nation who support them fully – perhaps too much even.

“We experienced that ourselves in 2007 in France.”

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