TransporterMalfunction 1 Posted November 22, 2003 England win Rugby World Cup Australia 17-20 England (Above, England Captain Martin Johnson lifts the World Cup) England won the Rugby World Cup with a breathtaking Jonny Wilkinson drop goal just 26 seconds from the end a thrilling final in Sydney. Millions watched around the world as captain Martin Johnson became the first player to lead a northern hemisphere side to the world title. Wilkinson's last-gasp effort was all that separated the sides after 100 minutes of rugby and a dramatic extra-time finale. 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, 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 the most memorable result in English rugby history. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- England: J Lewsey, J Robinson, W Greenwood, M Tindall, B Cohen; J Wilkinson, M Dawson; T Woodman, S Thompson, P Vickery; M Johnson; (capt), B Kay; Richard Hill, N Back, L Dallaglio. Replacements: D West, J Leonard, M Corry, L Moody, K Bracken, M Catt, I Balshaw. Australia: M Rogers, W Sailor, S Mortlock, E Flatley, L Tuqiri; S Larkham, G Gregan (capt); B Young, B Cannon, A Baxter; J Harrison, N Sharpe; G Smith, P Waugh, D Lyons. Replacements: J Paul, M Dunning, D Giffin, M Cockbain, C Whitaker, M Giteau, J Roff. TPM's view: What a fantastic match, it had me on the edge of my seat for the full 100 minutes (and on occasions praying on my knees! ). England were not on top form which led to the most tense and exciting world cup final I have seen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TransporterMalfunction 1 Posted November 22, 2003 Here are a few links for those interested or interested in learning about Rugby: http://www.planet-rugby.com http://www.rfu.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
removed 0 Posted November 22, 2003 Sweet. Glad to hear you guys won. I've watched rugby occasionally, but it's not my favorite. I still enjoy it though. IMO, it's more interesting than NFL, but less interesting than the CFL. It's a different kind of sport. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trekzone 0 Posted November 23, 2003 YOU POMS WON ON A TECHNICALITY, A DRAW WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE......BUT WE HAD TO PLAY EXTRA TIME - DAMN YOU POMY BASTARDS.....you killed our dream DAMN YOU POMY BASTARDS.....you killed our dream DAMN YOU POMY BASTARDS.....you killed our dream JUST REMEMBER : revenge is a dish best served cold Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cardie Fan 0 Posted November 23, 2003 YOU POMS WON ON A TECHNICALITY, A DRAW WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE......BUT WE HAD TO PLAY EXTRA TIME - DAMN YOU POMY BASTARDS.....you killed our dream DAMN YOU POMY BASTARDS.....you killed our dream DAMN YOU POMY BASTARDS.....you killed our dream JUST REMEMBER : revenge is a dish best served cold Take heart.You Aussies still have the best game in the world....Australian Rules Football! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trekzone 0 Posted November 23, 2003 sweet! im an umpire of AFL! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cardie Fan 0 Posted November 23, 2003 (edited) MAAAAAAAGGGGGPPPIIIIIEEEESSSSS!!!! Click for Spoiler: The NFL's Raider Nation are wimps! The Collingwwod Magpies' Black & White Nation RULE! Edited November 23, 2003 by Cardie Fan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trekzone 0 Posted November 23, 2003 nah, carn the Tigers! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cardie Fan 0 Posted November 23, 2003 nah, carn the Tigers! The Tigers.....? B) :) :lol: :lol: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trekzone 0 Posted November 23, 2003 Richmond Tigers, near Collingwood (where are you?) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cardie Fan 0 Posted November 23, 2003 Where am I....? That reminds me of something said on a Star Wars film.... "If there is a bright center of the universe somewhere,then I'm in a place where its farthest away from." Raisin City,California....population (well,that depends on how many coyotes are out in the vineyards hunting rabbits at any given time).... We've got a gas station/store,uhm...that same place rents a very,VERY small selection of videos (I don't think they've heard about the invention of the DVD or computers),and well,that's about it.The kids get bussed more than an hour away to school.If you want a cop or a fireman,you'd be better off dealing with whatever it is yourself,unless you'd like to wait 3 or 4 hours (for the policeman,anyway...you can get a fireman in an hour on a good day,same for an ambulance). On the up-side we do have lovely views of vineyards and....well,vineyards.And when the smog isn't too think from agricultural burning,you might even be able to see the Pacific Coast Range or the Sierra Nevadas! :lol: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trekzone 0 Posted November 23, 2003 ah, cool....and you follow Aussie Rules? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain_Smiley 0 Posted November 23, 2003 Hey,Cardie fan!We're neighbors! You're right,I've been through Raisin City...it sucks! Click for Spoiler: just joking. I thought I was in Mexico,dude.Everybody was speaking spanish.I've been in that store...it's like a converted church or something?Weird.But on the upswing,that old lady there makes some good tacos.None of that Taco Bell crap.Genuine Mexican food. My dad,uncle,and brothers and me used to go down to that little lake you've got just outside of town and fish/shoot ducks & rabbits. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cardie Fan 0 Posted November 23, 2003 ah, cool....and you follow Aussie Rules? Yeah,the games are shown on local cable television.I've been watching the AFL Game of the Week since '96 or '97.I just picked the Magpies for my team because they were usually on the game of the week. You in Fresno,Visalia,or Coalinga Smiley? Yeah,the market used to be a church,and then a post office.Old Rosa's dead.Been dead a couple of years now.She did make great food.Especially tamales.Everybody around here misses her.Her daughter is such a B$#@!....hard to believe they're related.Anyway,the daughter runs things now. I wouldn't eat those fish if I were you,or the ducks or rabbits.That lake's polluted.We don't even swim in it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
