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A Jonny Wilkinson drop-goal in the final minute of extra time secured the first ever
Rugby World Cup win for England 20-17 over the Wallabies, in a pulsating Final at
Telstra Stadium in Sydney last night. After being the focus of attention for practically
the entire tournament, Wilkinson – under extreme pressure -- slotted the decider to
secure the Webb-Ellis Cup for the Martin Johnson-led English. It followed a titanic
fight-back from the Wallabies who went close to becoming the first team to defend
a Rugby World Cup title and the first to come back after trailing at the half in a
Final. England led 14-5 at the break after tries to Lote Tuquiri for Australia and
Jason Robinson for England. The scores had been locked at 14-14 at full-time, after
Elton Flatley kicked a dramatic last-minute penalty to draw Australia level. Flatley
had earlier kicked two second-half penalties to close gap to three points. England
led 17-14 after Wilkinson's fourth penalty early in the first period of extra time.
But Flatley replied with another last-gasp penalty to level the scores again at 17-17
before Wilkinson clinched the decider in the last minute of extra-time. It was only
the second time a RWC Final had gone to extra-time, securing England's first ever
championship, and the first for northern hemisphere teams in Rugby World Cups. Australia's
epic performance was also widely acknowledged, despite being the Wallabies' first
ever loss in a Final.
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