Rugby year in review: England's year of swinging high

By JOHN MEHAFFEY in London

In a perfect universe, all World Cup finals would come down to the top player in the best team.

Unfortunately, life rarely imitates art. Most finals in any sport often disappoint, with the players either overawed by the occasion or unwilling to take risks.

The 2003 rugby World Cup final between England and Australia at Sydney's Olympic Stadium proved a glorious exception.

Deep in extra time, the scores were still tied 17-17 after nearly 100 minutes of steadily escalating tension in the driving rain.

England poured on to the attack. Matt Dawson spotted a gap and made vital metres. Captain Martin Johnson took the ball on.

The ball came back to Dawson and, although the entire Wallaby team could see what was to come, they could not stop Dawson sweeping the ball to Jonny Wilkinson.

A lifetime's practice came to fruition in one split-second when Wilkinson drop-kicked the winning points with his weaker, right foot.

"Thirty seconds to go, Wilko in front of the sticks to win the World Cup," Johnson said.

"You wouldn't want anyone else there, would you?"

The fifth World Cup, staged entirely in Australia, always promised to be memorable.

Since Australia won the 1999 tournament at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, England had developed into the best team in the world, beating the Wallabies four times in a row.

This year they finally delivered a Grand Slam to coach Clive Woodward after repeatedly failing at the final hurdle, comprehensively defeating one of the better Irish sides in Dublin.

Then came the June tour of New Zealand and Australia, an extra burden for players and coach after a long, exhausting season.

Woodward, who had carried on the revolution in England rugby started by Geoff Cooke after the 1987 World Cup, threw down the gauntlet.

First, said Woodward, he would pick his best side for the tour, including Wilkinson.

Then, he added, he intended to beat the All Blacks and the Wallabies on their home territory. The World Cup could take care of itself.

Johnson and his men delivered.

Down to 13 men at one stage in the Wellington match against New Zealand, the England pack not only held their opponents but broke away into All Black territory. The 15-13 win was narrow, but deserved.

In Melbourne a week later, England played an altogether more expansive game to beat Australia 25-14.

It was their first test victory on Australian soil and Woodward could at last put his feet up, albeit briefly.

The focus was now on the Southern Hemisphere and the Tri-Nations series, the only countries to date who had won the ultimate global prize.

Reuben Thorne's All Blacks opted for all-out attack, orchestrated by the endlessly inventive Carlos Spencer at first five-eighth.

The results were spectacular, with 50-plus points victories over the Springboks and the Wallabies, and the unveiling of a blazing new talent in left wing Joe Rokocoko.

New Zealand regained the Bledisloe Cup with a hard-fought return win over Australia in Auckland and travelled to the cup in good heart.

The tournament resolved predictably into a two-part competition.

The All Blacks and an impressively disciplined France side set the early pace, while England and Australia initially struggled.

England looked slow and uncertain and, in turn, Wilkinson was unexpectedly hesitant. Australia were heavily criticised by their own media and also did not look potential champions.

In the Melbourne quarter-finals, New Zealand destroyed an indifferent South African side and France cut Ireland to pieces. Both looked on course for the Sydney final a fortnight later.

A week later and the dynamics of the tournament had changed.

On a hot and humid Saturday night, Australia exposed the All Blacks' lack of forward power and unreliable goal-kicking, winning 22-10.

The following night, in driving wind and rain, England crushed France 24-7, with Wilkinson back to something like his best.

An unforgettable final followed before a world-record crowd of 82,957, about half of them travelling England supporters.

Further heavy rain and a slippery pitch made handling a lottery.

But the excitement and the occasion overcame any quibbles about the standard of play. Lote Tuqiri scored a sixth-minute try for Australia, Jason Robinson replied shortly before halftime.

England led 14-5 at the break before Australia clawed back to 14-14 just before the end of normal time.

Wilkinson and Elton Flatley exchanged penalties in extra time before Johnson called for one last effort.

His team and Wilkinson delivered to give England their most famous victory in any team sport since the 1966 soccer World Cup.

England and European rugby had come of age.

The highlights

* England win thrilling World Cup final to take trophy to Northern Hemisphere for first time.

* All Blacks score 50 points against Wallabies and Springboks to win Tri-Nations.

* All Blacks regain Bledisloe Cup.

* Unveiling of blazing new talent in All Black left wing Joe Rokocoko.

- REUTERS