(after extra-time)
Jonny Wilkinson kicked a drop goal seconds from the end of extra time to give England a dramatic victory over Australia in the World Cup final in Sydney this morning. With the teams tied 17-17 after 19 minutes of extra time in a match of shuddering intensity, England scrumhalf Matt Dawson darted through the Wallaby defence to put his team in an ideal attacking position near the Australian posts.
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Jonny Wilkinson scores the winning drop goal in today's final
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Wilkinson, who had failed with three drop goal attempts, took up his position deep behind the England forwards. The ball was duly delivered and the left-footed England flyhalf snapped the ball off his right foot between the uprights.
Saturday's game, only the second final to go into extra time, was not just the greatest of the five finals to date, it was also a rugby classic.
England, the first northern hemisphere team to win the tournament, took a 14-5 lead at halftime. They dominated possession in the second half on a treacherous pitch after two days of heavy rain before Wallaby coach Eddie Jones produced a tactical master stroke.
Jones brought on his reserve locks David Giffin and Matt Cockbain and suddenly Australia began to dominate the lineouts. Centre Elton Flatley, dropped from the Wallaby side this year after failing to turn up for training after a night of celebration, kicked two penalties to put Australia only three points adrift.
With two minutes of normal time remaining, South African referee Andre Watson penalised England for illegal scrummaging. Flatley lined up the ball on the 22-mark and kicked the equalising goal.
Two minutes into extra time, Wilkinson kicked his fourth penalty from 45 metres and the teams turned around with England leading by three points. With four minutes left, however, England number eight Lawrence Dallaglio was penalised for hands in the ruck and Flatley levelled the scores again.
But England were not be denied. Their magnificent forward pack surged forward and Dawson made the crucial break to set up Wilkinson for the match-winning goal.
Australia had taken an early lead in the match. From a scrum near the 22, flyhalf Stephen Larkham hoisted a perfect up-and-under for Lote Tuqiri's wing.
As the ball hovered just short of the line, Tuqiri out-jumped the smaller Jason Robinson and crashed over triumphantly for a try in the sixth minute.
Wilkinson replied for England five minutes later when he slotted the ball through the uprights with a 45-metre penalty. He kicked another from almost the same spot and the third from the 22-mark.
In the 38th minute, Dallaglio, who had a magnificent game at number eight, burst through the Wallaby defence and fed Wilkinson. Wilkinson passed to Robinson who raced away to score in the left-hand corner.
England should have been further ahead but lock Ben Kay dropped the ball with the line at his mercy after Dallaglio had kicked ahead to set up the perfect attacking platform.
Afterwards, winning captain Martin Johnson praised his team for a mighty collective effort, saying: "It was a huge effort by the entire squad of players, coaches and backroom staff, everybody. Thanks to the fans, they were incredible
"I can't say enough about the team, because we had the lead and we lost it but we came back and Wilko at the end, I can't say enough about it.
"You've got to give credit to Australia, they're a very good team and they made it very difficult for us. I'm just happy for the players, they've put their heart and soul into it. It couldn't have been any closer and I'm just happy I'm on the right side."