In 1995 it was Joel Stransky, in 2003 it was Jonny Wilkinson. Stransky’s winning drop goal for the Springboks came early in the second period of extra time, Wilkinson’s came with 30 seconds left in the second period, in the 99th minute of a gripping World Cup final.
England at last take home the Webb-Ellis trophy with the team derided as Dad’s Army, having lost to the same opposition in 1991 and failing to reach the final in the intervening years.
At half time it looked as though Clive Woodward’s men would win comfortably. After Lote Tuqiri’s 6th minute try, England scored 14 unanswered points to lead 14-5 at the break. But the Wallabies dug deep to kick three second half penalties and send the match into extra time with the match locked up at 14-14.
Wilkinson kicked a penalty in the first minute of extra time to restore England’s lead and there was no further scoring until the seventh minute of the second period, when Elton Flatley stroked over a penalty to punish indiscipline by the England captain, Martin Johnson.
England then proved their quality by winning back possession as the clock ticked down to what would have been a further 10 minute session of sudden death extra time. Wilkinson was ready for the drop, but Johnson opted to take the ball back to the forwards and give him an even better platform.
Standing alone just outside the 22 metre line, the world’s most valuable player calmly caught the ball and sent it soaring off his right foot between the uprights. There was time for a restart, but when Mike Catt kicked the ball dead Andre Watson blew the final whistle and England fans could celebrate at last.
Conditions had been less than ideal, but Australia opened up the scoring with a touch of daring in the 5th minute of the game. Stephen Larkham’s cross kick was plucked out of the air by a charging Tuqiri to score in the corner.
It took a further five minutes for England to reply with Wilkinson slotting over a penalty to bring the score to 5-3 in the 10th minute. He added another soon afterwards for England to take the lead at the end of the first quarter.
Solid defence by Australia held England from running away with the game having had 70% of the possession through the first quarter. Poor lineouts by both teams opened opportunities but neither team managed to take advantage and with the rain persisting handling became more challenging.
Wilkinson kicked a further penalty to increase the lead in the 28th minute and the last ten minutes of the first half belonged to England as they raised the pace. A break by Wilkinson in the middle of the field taken forward by Dallalgio, found Robinson in space and he went outside Horan to score his 16th international try to put England nine points ahead at the break.
The expected avalanche never materialised, however, and the Wallabies came inexorably back. The England forwards couldn’t get their hands on the ball and Flatley’s kicks brought the Wallabies ever closer. It was no more than they deserved to send the game into extra time, but against the team of the decade that was as far as they got.