England were today crowned world champions after one of the most absorbing encounters in rugby union World Cup history.

The cracking collision between Clive Woodward's men and host nation and trophy-holders Australia stretched like a taut sinew into extra time after both sides were locked at 14-14.

But then Jonny Wilkinson, the scourge of the Aussies, hoisted Woodward's white-shirted warriors into the realms of fantasy.

After his extra-time penalty was wiped out by Australia's Elton Flatley, Wilkinson scudded over a drop goal just 20 seconds from the final whistle to break the hearts of the home nation and send England soaring into scenes of massive celebration as pictured in the delight shown by England's lone try-scorer Jason Robinson.

Wilko and Whizz rule the world

ENGLAND today became world champions after a 20-17 extra-time win in the tensest final in rugby union history.

And, predictably, it was all thanks to kicking machine Jonny Wilkinson, who booted a 30-yard drop goal with just seconds to go of extra-time to conquer the Australians in their Sydney backyard.

Wilkinson, who the entire Aussie nation feared, struck at the death to see England become the first side from the northern hemisphere to win the World Cup.

But England also owed a huge debt to Jason Robinson, who had scored England's sole try. The man nicknamed Billy Whizz saved them with a decisive tackle on Lote Tuqiri late in extra-time before Wilkinson's heroics.

England deservedly led 14-5 after 40 minutes but, despite possession and territorial advantages, didn't score a point in the second half and Australian vice-captain Elton Flatley, under the most enormous pressure, booted his side level with a tricky penalty with the very last kick of normal time.

The same happened in extra-time as, after fly-half Wilkinson - who overcame a first-half injury scare on his shoulder and a barrage of "boring" boos from the home fans - took Clive Woodward's side to the brink of greatness with a momentous 50-metre penalty, Flatley kept his nerve again with three minutes left. But it was to be England's day.

There were too many mistakes to call it a classic, with England dropping several balls when well placed. But Woodward had always said he didn't care how they won as long as they won.

Both sides scored one try but while Flatley missed three kicks before his late heroics, Wilkinson missed only a conversion, and, passing the century mark for the competition, became the tournament's top scorer.

The Wallabies began on top and, after Trevor Woodman unnecessarily threw a punch, the penalty gave Australia an attacking opportunity from which Stephen Larkham's high up-and-under to the left saw Lote Tuquri use his height advantage over Robinson to catch and touch down a typical rugby league try.

However, on ten minutes a penalty at a ruck gave Wilkinson a chance bang in front nearly 50 metres out, and England's most prized weapon brought them back into it before giving them a 19th-minute lead with another penalty.

England thereafter upped the pressure in the pack and took control of possession.

The boos went up from the home crowd as Wilkinson went for - and missed - a drop goal, and minutes later there were cheers of relief as Ben Kay amazingly dropped the ball with the try-line inches away.

But a Robinson chip and charge kept the pressure on the Wallabies' line and when the Aussies were penalised at a scrum, Wilkinson added another three.

England's try came just before the break to make it 14-5 at the turnaround - and it came from the brilliance of 'Billy Whizz' as, from a Lawrence Dallaglio break, Wilkinson fed wizard winger Robinson to use all his finishing skills honed in rugby league to go over in the corner.

After the break England had the bulk of possession but a fluffed lineout led to a penalty which Flatley booted to bring the hosts within six points, and with 20 minutes left it became three after another infringement.

The boos rang up as Wilkinson dropped at goal again - missing again - and, as the tension increased as the Wallabies won territorial advantage, Flatley dealt the cruellest of blows after a penalty at a scrum 22 yards out.

A penalty from a lineout early in extra-time saw Wilkinson regain the lead from 50 metres. He missed his third drop goal attempt as the turnaround neared and, after the break, Robinson proved his worth again when downing Tuqiri in a match-winning tackle.

A poor line-out led to another Aussie penalty three minutes from time and Flatley kept his nerve again from 30 yards - but Wilkinson was not to be outdone.

Updated: 11:54 Saturday, November 22, 2003