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Snyper · **England win Rugby World Cup -** 11-22-03

oh yes

Quote:

England won the Rugby World Cup with an exhilarating extra-time victory over defending champions Australia in the Sydney rain.

Millions watched around the world as captain Martin Johnson became the first player to lead a northern hemisphere side to the world title.

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson's last-gasp drop goal proved the difference between the sides after 100 minutes of rugby.

Australia battled hard and were never out of the game but ultimately fell just short, despite opening the scoring through centre Lote Tuqiri.

The match represented the culmination of four impressive years of improvement from an England team that flattered to deceive in the last World Cup.

Then, Johnson and his cohorts were kicked out of the World Cup by South Africa and were rightly criticised for lacking a 'killer spirit'.

There were no such weaknesses on display on Saturday as England wrestled the cup away from an Aussie side who fought tooth and nail to become the first team to retain the trophy.

The Wallabies started strongly when Tuqiri out-jumped Jason Robinson to a huge Stephen Larkham bomb with just six minutes on the clock.

The score was no more than Australia deserved but three Wilkinson penalties soon silenced the strong home support.

Despite the rain continuing to fall, both sides chose to keep the ball in hand and as the game progressed, so the mighty England pack began to dominate.

With just 10 minutes of the first half left, Ben Kay knocked on with the line beckoning to the frustration of the visiting fans.

Minutes later, England finally silenced their critics when Robinson scuttled over wide on the left after a powerful midfield burst from Lawrence Dallaglio.

The men in white started the second half as they had finished the first.

Johnson led from the front with a towering performance and Dallaglio and flanker Richard Hill caused numerous problems down the middle of the pitch.

But just as England looked likely to pull away, so two sloppy penalties allowed Elton Flatley to bring his side back within touching distance.

England looked the more confident side with the ball in hand - but only just.

Will Greenwood knocked on inside the Aussie 22 and Wilkinson then missed a drop goal as the match entered a tense closing quarter.

Runs from the powerful Stirling Mortlock and George Smith pushed England back into their own half.

And as referee Andre Watson prepared to blow for full time, Flatley slotted his third kick of the half to push the match into extra time.

The players looked understandably exhausted and when Wilkinson and Flatley again swapped penalties the match looked as if it was heading into sudden death.

But England were not to be denied and it was fitting that Wilkinson sealed a deserved victory as well as most memorable result in English rugby history.

get in there

Snyper · 11-22-03

RedMeat · 11-22-03

Cant believe the timing of Wilkinson`s kick. Last 20 seconds of extra time and it`s over and gone.

Snyper · 11-22-03

The stage was made for him; big time player

IdleParis · 11-22-03

20 v 17!

wikkid!

Madpoet · 11-22-03

Im happy someone finally beat us aussies. We're too good for our own good. The poms deserve it.

Mia~ow · 11-22-03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madpoet

Im happy someone finally beat us aussies. We're too good for our own good. The poms deserve it.

*shakes hand* If only football fans had this attitude!

I neither liked or understood Rugby, but after watching today's events I've found a new respect for the game, and the fans. I may watch it again

Blind Pugh · 11-22-03

YES!!

Finally a sport we invented that we can still win at!!

RedMeat · 11-22-03

Bah! We can win at any of the sports we have invented. Its just that we have a predisposition not to. :/

Mia~ow · 11-22-03

Because we don't want to appear too arrogant

RedMeat · 11-22-03

Then we should take a vow of silence.

chaosmageRyan · 11-22-03

damn it... i haven't seen the match yet but i so taught aussie had it. damn it. i guess i'm out five bucks.

Snyper · 11-23-03

Mia~ow · 11-23-03

owned

Arty · 11-27-03

This whole Aussie-good-loser thing is quite blatently a massive and massively devious ruse. They trying to undercut our motivation by being so nice, then they're going to wallop us next time we meet.

Snyper · 11-28-03

we'll still give 'em a going over

ArSiNiK · 12-04-03

i wish more u.s. sports channels covered rugby.