Rugby World Cup History - A Saturday morning in November
Tuesday 13 September 2011
It's not often that I was awake at 7 o' clock in the morning whilst I was at university and especially not on a Saturday, especially (as I am Welsh) to watch the old enemy play. But Saturday the 22nd November 2003 was a different kettle of fish.
I managed to get out of bed at what seemed like an ungodly hour as did my flat mate and off we headed upstairs to a flat with a decent sized television. We hauled ourselves and a crate of Cafferys (it was on offer at Sainsburys at the time) up two flights of stairs and set about our morning's drinking. I've never started drinking so early and probably never will do again, but as said above this was a different kettle of fish.
It was of course the day of the 2003 Rugby World Cup final. England, the number one ranked team in the World, were taking on hosts Australia. Of course the time difference lead to early morning starts like this one. As we cracked opened the first cans the build up began. This was England's chance of glory; it was the end of 4 years of hard work and determination. They entered the tournament as favourites and had swept aside everyone they played.
It takes a great side to win a World Cup in any sport and this England side was no different. Under the stewardship of Clive Woodward and captaincy of Martin Johnson they had spent 4 years building up to the tournament. They created a style of play that suited them and their gameplan constantly evolved over the period with slight tweeks here and there. Nothing was groundbreaking, it was just doing the basics well and playing to the strengths of the players. There were low points on the way, both in the six nations and against Southern hemisphere opponents, but it all came together. By the time the tournament came around England had beaten all the tri-nations sides on their own backyard “ something they would have to do against Australia in the World Cup final.
It was not a great start for England. Only 6 minutes into the game Stephen Larkham fired a cross-field kick towards Jason Robinson. Lote Tuqiri outjumped the England winger and crossed for an early try. Although it was the dream start for the Wallabies, but it was to be the only points they scored in the first half as the conversion crashed against the post before England took a strangle hold on the game. Wilkinson kicked the penalties when they came to take England 4 points clear with 2 minutes until half-time. As Jason Robinson finished off a sleak attacking movement by England, the supporters were in dreamland and I was waking up half the block with the screams aimed at the TV. Despite missing the conversion England entered half-time leading 14-5.
Throughout the tournament England had shown what a strong second half side they were. Against Wales in the quarter final, England were on the ropes in the first half and found themselves 10-3 and completely outplayed. The introduction of Mike Catt at half-time changed the game and England were almost unstoppable in the second half, scoring 22 unanswered points before Wales could add to their first half total. It was England first real test of the tournament and forced them to up their game “ as a Welshman though I still think back to the missed conversions and Mark Jones ignoring an overlap that could have pushed England that bit further.
The semi-final against France saw a close first half, England leading by a slender 12-7 at half-time in the wind and rain. The second half again saw England dominate both possession and the scoreboard. It was the boot of Johnny Wilkinson who scored all the points that day with 5 penalties and a hat trick of drop goals. It wasn't fancy but the result was ground out by the might of the forwards as it had been for the previous 4 years.
Back to the final where confidence was high on and off the field. England had a lead and just had to hold onto it. Unfortunately Australia had other ideas. The sides were evenly matched and possession swung from one side to the other. The difference was that Australia took their points when they came. Flately kicked 2 penalties, while Wilkinson missed a handful of drop goal attempts. Still England lead by three points as the clocked ticked closer to 80 minutes. Another penalty was awarded and Flately calmly stepped up and slotted over the 3 points to take the game to extra time. The Wallabies had outscored England by 9 points to 0 in the second half.
We was devastated. I was watching the game slip away from England. Everything seemed to be going in favour of Australia; the bounce of the ball favoured them and even some of the refereeing decisions seemed to favour the men in gold. It was impossible to call who would eventually emerge victorious but there was no doubting Australia were the team on the up.
It didn't take long for the first score in extra time and thankfully it was a Johnny Wilkinson penalty. England once again looked to have the upperhand but just couldn't add to the scoreboard. It was becoming evident that both sides were exhausted both physically and mentally as more and more mistakes crept in. Then with 3 minutes remained Australia brought the scores level.
Once again the game was slipping away. The last month's rugby could come to nothing, the victories against South Africa, Samoa, Georgia and Uruguay would be forgotten. The quarter final comeback against Wales would have been in vain and the sheer determination to beat France would have been pointless. 4 years of work only to be the unlucky runners up.
Of course we all know what happened next. With nerves jangling and everyone trying to work out what happened if extra time finished a draw, England launched one last attack. From a lineout ground was made. From the resulting ruck Dawson somehow wriggled through to make a vital 15 metres. Another ruck. Then with 26 seconds remaining back to Wilkinson who, thankfully, was on target with his drop goal for the first time that morning.
It was a fairytale ending to the closest World Cup final ever. The players were euphoric, as was I in my student flat in Birmingham. The cans kept rolling all day as the whole country celebrated. Who said early morning drinking was a bad thing?
