TNT Sports
"A huge effort"
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Published 22/11/2003 at 16:14 GMT
England captain Martin Johnson expressed relief and elation in equal measure on Saturday after a Jonny Wilkinson drop goal gave his side a 20-17 extra time win over Australia in the World Cup final.
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Image credit: TNT Sports
"It was a huge effort by the entire squad of players, coaches and backroom staff, everybody. Thanks to the fans, they were incredible," Johnson said.
"It was a huge effort by the entire squad of players, coaches and backroom staff, everybody. Thanks to the fans, they were incredible," Johnson said.
"I can't say enough about the team, because we had the lead and we lost it but we came back and Wilko at the end ... I can't say enough about it."
"You've got to give credit to Australia, they're a very good team and they made it very difficult for us.
"I'm just for happy for the players, they've put their heart and soul into it.
"It couldn't have been any closer and I'm just happy I'm on the right side."
England coach Clive Woodward added: "I just want say a massive thanks to every fan in the stadium tonight it was just fantastic. I'm speechless, it's just unbelievable."
"I was going nuts, we just kept getting ourselves into trouble, making error after error. But who cares, we won, we won the World Cup.
"It takes 15 players, I thought the whole team were brilliant.
"It's been an awesome night here, I'll never forget it.
Woodward said the result was a vindication of his policy of playing his best side in every match since taking over in 1997,
"It's a dangerous precedent to put out a weakened side two years before a World Cup. International rugby is about winning."
Wilkinson, who missed three drop goals before kicking the winner off his right foot, said the team knew "we had to hang in there".
"I missed two, then I missed three and then fortunately the fourth went over," he said, "You never know with 20 seconds to go, but I certainly felt better than the minute before.
EASIEST KICK
"When we get back home there will be more games to play but I want to hold on to this moment for as long as possible. We won't be going to bed too early tonight.
"We knew what we had to do, it was probably the easiest drop goal of the game. I have been practising that kind of kick since I was five or six."
England number eight Lawrence Dallaglio said it had been a special evening.
"It's fantastic, not bad for a Dad's army. We made hard work of it, credit to Australia the way they came back into it but we hung on in there. We deserve this World Cup and we've won it," he said.
"We've taken a lot of crap down here. To come down here and take the trophy away from the southern hemisphere, that is a very special feeling."
Hooker Steve Thompson added: "We made it very hard for ourselves. It wasn't the best rugby but it was a nail-biter. Now I am looking forward to a few drinks tonight."
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