It was one of the best days of my life and I never watched the entire match. I probably never will. I have no memory of what happened on the field. I don’t want to alarm people because I remember a lot of matches, but I don’t remember this match because of the chaos of the event and because I didn’t think I had a great match. Watch it. I watched it as if I was seeing this play for the first time in my life.
What I do know is that once we get out there, the rest is easy. It wasn’t easy to win, but it was easy to play with that team. We knew we would all do our job to a high standard and that we would need a very good team to beat us, which Australia almost did.
Despite the enormity of the situation, everything was the same: the same music as we boarded the bus; same warm-up (which was always very difficult!). It was disappointing that it was raining. I loved playing on dry ground. That England team wasn’t just a bunch of forwards as people said. We made many attempts. We were the best in the world and we proved it.
Martin Johnson sets the tone
Score: 0-0
With André Waton saying “guys, enjoy the game” in the game’s introduction, Jonny Wilkinson’s left boot kicks off the game with a long restart on the right side of the pitch. Skipper Martin Johnson leads the attack by chopping Australian catcher Nathan Sharpe.
WG: Firstly, that’s why he’s our captain, but why is the slowest man over 100 meters making the first tackle? That’s exactly what Johnno did. Nowadays it’s Will Jordan or Cheslin Kolbe. They are the kick chasers; 10 seconds 100 meter runners with a fast start. Somewhere deep down… I always remember, how did he give first aid? It’s also a deep re-start and hitting someone to get there; After all these years, he has no shoulders left! – and there it is. You can ask where our wing and back row are, but it’s unbelievable. I think he did the same in overtime. That’s why he was such a great captain; actions, not words.
England’s scrum dominance begins to show
Score: 5-9
The favorites turned things around after two penalties from Jonny Wilkinson put England narrowly ahead. Attacking dominance continues, still laden with paltry rewards, but rather than maximizing their mastery in that area, England gamble and opt for three points over a penalty try.
WG: On a normal day – I spoke to Johnno about this – we would make another attack and push for a penalty try and a yellow card. But we couldn’t be sure Watson would give it. Normally, when you charge them like we did, you go again; yellow card and penalty try. Kill the game. I always remember that Johnno wasn’t allowed to talk to Watson that day; all communication had to go through Matt Dawson. Clive didn’t want a 20-stone man towering over a shorter referee on the big screen. He wanted to keep him away.
Robinson’s expert finish
Score: 5-14
A failed line out does not hinder the effort. Ben Kay sweeps in the loose ball and two phases later Dallaglio rounds the corner to feed Wilkinson silkily inside, then slots Robinson to head towards the try line – England’s first and only final.
WG: All kids should watch Wilkinson’s wet-weather pass (no spin) and Robinson’s five-metre early dive. Once he’s on deck, Rogers can’t touch him. First he cleared the ball three yards short. This ends. Smothering the ball. This was the detail that made him and us as a team different.
The unprecedented moment that led England to victory
Score: 17-17
The Wallabies struggle in the second half before extra time begins. Elton Flatley scored three penalties – the last coming in the 80th minute from a contested scrum call that sent Johnson into a frenzy – and England’s first-half lead suddenly melted away. After a shrewd extra period, Flatley and Wilkinson shared penalties before England left the squad to spark a thrilling final.
WG: That lineout that led to the drop goal came from Lewis Moody. He pressed Rogers’ clearance and the full-back stabbed it. His head immediately went down. If Moodos doesn’t then Rogers comes off and we’ll have to try to win the game from our own half rather than close to the Australian 22. Moodos had done the same against South Africa earlier in the tournament. , which led me to try it. No sense of self-preservation, takes off at full tilt, incredible. This is the moment that led to the drop goal.
Jonny does this
Score: 17-20 (aet)
Kay calls to the queue, Moody takes the lead again, leaps and catches. Mike Catt makes a bold move into the Australian midfield, replacing Mike Tindall. With the Wallabies doubting a sudden drop goal, Dawson sniped to give England better field position to strike. Johnson realizes his scrum half is buried, so the trucks lift, allowing Dawson to get back up and feed Wilkinson for the most memorable moment in English rugby history.
WG: I always claimed to Daws that I was just on his shoulder during this break – but I probably wasn’t. Still, I was close and perhaps struck the second blow of my career. Then me and Jason Leonard (replacing Phil Vickery) were attacked by Johnno. So where was the offside advantage if Wilko had missed? Luckily he didn’t do that. It was a terrible kick, but it all counts!
winning moment
Score: 17-20 (aet)
With England leading by three points and nearly on the clock, Australia need one last roll of the dice. The Wallabies make a desperate attempt to regain possession but England’s loose man Woodman is doing a tremendous job of regaining possession. The ball comes back to Catt, who spirals it into the stands and England into delirium.
WG: Incredible quote from Trevor. My gut says as Daws lies face down on the floor before moving on to Catty. We were standing next to each other and I didn’t want him to get confused about who he was passing to. I figured the easiest way to avoid this was to lie down. I thought it was extremely clever but everyone accepts the p—. ‘What were you doing? ‘Are you making a table?’ Then Catty puts down one of the most amazing spirals I’ve ever seen to end the game. Then I jump up and down with Wilko and the celebrations begin. Good times.
final thoughts
Final score: 17-20 (aet)
WG: The first 30 minutes after the final whistle were mental bliss. It takes a lot of sacrifice to win. We were the first side in the northern hemisphere and I still can’t believe no one else did it. Only two teams have won the World Cup after 2003. We were fine, we really were. We always found a way to win. We were cruel – not obnoxious, though they could be if necessary – angry, obnoxious; There is no step backwards. I wouldn’t want to be part of another England team. It was an honor to be a part of this.