by One of the greatest days of my life, and I did not see the game back in its entirety. Probably not. I have zero memories of what happened on the field. I don’t want to scare people, because I remember a lot of games, but I don’t remember this one because of the chaos of the event and because I didn’t think I had a great game, so I never gave myself that until looking at it. I watched this as if it was the first time I saw the game in my life.
All I know is that we walked out onto the field, the rest was easy. Didn’t win, but it was easy playing with that team. We knew that we would all be doing our jobs to a high standard and that it would take a bloody good team to beat us – which Australia almost did.
Despite the size of the event, everything was the same: the same music on the bus on the way in; the same warm-up (which was always too difficult!). There was a smattering of rain, which was disappointing. I would love to play in the dry. That England team was just a starting bunch as people said. We got a lot of effort. We were the best people in the world – and we proved it.
Martin Johnson sets the tone
Score: 0-0
With “André Waton boys, enjoy the game” serving as the game’s prologue, left-handed starter Jonny Wilkinson gets the game underway, with a long restart down the right side of the pitch. Skipper Martin Johnson is leading the charge, as he cuts short Australian catcher Nathan Sharpe.
WG: First thing, and that’s why he’s our captain, but why is the slowest block over 100 meters making the first tackle? That’s exactly what Johnno did. Today, it’s either Will Jordan or Cheslin Kolbe. They are the kick-chasers; 10-second 100-meter runners with a rolling start. Somewhere deep down … I always remember, how did he make the first conclusion? It’s also a deep resume, and beats someone for being there – he’s had no shoulders after all these years! – and it is. You could ask where our wing and back are, but it’s incredible. He did the same thing in extra time, I think. That’s why he was a great captain – actions not words.
England’s scrum dominance begins to show
Score: 5-9
After two Jonny Wilkinson penalties gave England a narrow lead, the favorites will turn the screw. The scrum dominance continues, still with paltry rewards, but instead of choosing to hammer home their mastery in this aspect, England opted for three points instead of gambling and pushing for a penalty try.
WG: On a normal day – I spoke to Johnno about this – we would have taken another scrum, and got a penalty try and a yellow card. But we couldn’t be sure that Watson would give it. Normally, when you’re pumping them at the scrum like we were, you’d go again; yellow card and penalty attempt. Kill the game. I always remember Johnno not being allowed to speak to Watson on the day – all communication had to go through Matt Dawson. Clive didn’t want a 20 stone bloke towering over a shorter ref on the big screen. He wanted to keep it away.
Robinson’s expert finish
Score: 5-14
A botched line does not detract from the effort. Ben Kay swept up the loose ball and, two steps later, Dallaglio steamed around the corner, feeding Wilkinson silky inside, before Robinson’s volley on a path to the try line – a first and no one in England.
WG: All the kids should watch Wilkinson’s final pass in the wet – no spin – as Robinson dives five yards early. Once it hits the deck, Rogers can’t touch it. He places the ball first through a short yardage. That’s finishing. Smothering the ball. It was the details that set him apart – and us as a team.
The invisible moment that set England up for glory
Score: 17-17
In the second half, before extra time starts, the Wallabies fight back. Elton Flatley starts with three penalties – the last coming in the 80th minute from a controversial scrum call that sends Johnson into a frenzy – and suddenly England’s first-half lead melts away. After a cagey period of extra-time, Flatley and Wilkinson exchanged penalties, before the touchline ignited England’s thrilling finale.
WG: That line came from Lewis Moody, where the goalkeeper came from. He pressured Rogers to clear and the full-back shook him. His head went straight down. If Moodos doesn’t do that Rogers is kicking down the channel and we would have to try and win the game from our own half, rather than close to the Australian 22. Earlier in the tournament, Moodos did the same against South Africa. , leading to my trial. No sense of self-preservation, take off at full tilt, unbelievable. That was the moment that caused the goal to fall.
Jonny does it
Score: 17-20 (aet)
Kay calls the line out to the tail, with Moody again playing the leading role, jumping and catching. Mike Catt – forward for Mike Tindall – strained into the Australian midfield. With the Wallabies in doubt about the immediate goal, Dawson spins, earning England better field position for the kick. Johnson realizes his half volume has been planted, so he manages to truck away, allowing Dawson to regain his feet 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 for that break – but I guess I wasn’t. I was close, however, and maybe hit the second ruck of my career. Then myself and Jason Leonard – on for Phil Vickery – hit Johnno’s rack as well. And where was the advantage for the outside if Wilko lost? Thank God, it wasn’t. It was a terrible kick, but they are all included!
The winning moment
Score: 17-20 (aet)
With England ahead by three points and time to go up, Australia is one roll of the dice. The Wallabies kick short in a desperate attempt to regain possession but Woodman, England’s loosehead, a great job snaffling possession. The ball comes back to Catt who sends it spiraling into the stands – and England into delirium.
WG: An incredible take from Trevor. I get the p— out of here as I lie on the floor before Daws goes to Catty. There were two of us standing next to each other and I didn’t want him to get confused as to who it was going to. The easiest way to avoid that, I thought, was to lie down. I thought it was very clever but everyone takes the p—. ‘What were you doing? Making a table?’ Catty then puts in one of the biggest spirals I’ve ever seen to end the match. Then jump up and down with Wilko and the celebration begins. Good crack.
Final thoughts
Final score: 17-20 (aet)
WG: The first 30 minutes after the final whistle were nothing but mental elation. It takes a lot of sacrifice to win. We were the first in the northern hemisphere – and I still can’t believe no one else has done it. After 2003, only two teams have won the World Cup. We were good, we really were. We always found a way to win. We were ruthless – not bad, although they could be if necessary – bad, bad; no backward steps. I wouldn’t want to be part of any other England team. It was an honor to be a part of it.
