Final: Wilkinson Magic
England v Australia, 20-17
(Telstra Stadium, Sydney )
Like England in 2007, Australia were playing in their second consecutive Final. Both Australia and England had won well in the semifinals – against New Zealand and France – and it was clear that the best teams would contest the Final.
It turned out to be a stern contest, a try apiece, extra time and as in 1995 the outcome decided by a drop-goal.
Lote Tuqiri scored first when Stephen Larkham kicked a high diagonal and Tuqiri was too tall for Jason Robinson. That gave the Wallabies a 5-0 lead but then Wilkinson kicked three penalties and Robinson got his own back, scurrying over in the corner. This gave England a 14-5 lead at half-time.
They did not score again in the second half while Flatley goaled three penalties. It was only in extra time that England scored, 34 minutes after Robinson's try.
England were the better side with their powerful pack, and they had two players of enormous stature – Martin Johnson at lock and Jonny Wilkinson at flyhalf.
Twice, as normal time ebbed away, Australia levelled the scores. Full time came at 14-all after Elton Flatley had levelled the scores right at the end of normal time. England went up to 17-14 but Flatley again levelled the scores.
Then with a minute left England went on the attack, Matt Dawson broke, and Jonny Wilkinson kicked the winning drop. Like Stransky before him Wilkinson did it with his right boot though he was mainly a left-footer.
Scorers:
For England:
Try: Robinson
Pens: Wilkinson 4
DG: Wilkinson
For Australia:
Try: Tuqiri
Pens: Flatley 4
Teams:
Australia: Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor, Stirling Mortlock, Elton Flatley, Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, David Lyons, Phil Waugh, George Smith, Nathan Sharpe, Justin Harrison, Al Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young
Replacements: Jeremy Paul, Matt Dunning, David Giffin, Matt Cockbain, Chris Whitaker, Matt Giteau, Joe Roff
England: Josh Lewsey, Jason Robinson, Will Greenwood, Mike Tindall, Ben Cohen, Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Matt Dawson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Neil Back, Richard Hill, Ben Kay, Martin Johnson (captain), Phil Vickery, Steve Thompson, Trevor Woodman
Replacements: Dorian West, Jason Leonard, Martin Corry, Lewis Moody, Kyran Bracken, Mike Catt, Iain Balshaw
Referee: André Watson (South Africa)
