the 2003 Rugby World Cup final between Australia and the England rugby team took place on 22nd November 2003 at the Telstra Stadium, Sydney, Australia, and after an exciting tournament spanning seven weeks it was favourites the England rugby team and the tournament hosts Australia who battled through to the final. The England rugby team were managed by Clive Woodward and featured a number of key players including their captain Martin Johnson and high scoring fly half Jonny Wilkinson. The match had only been underway for six minutes when Australia opened the scoring with a try scored by Lote Tuqiri, the England rugby team responded five minutes later when Jonny Wilkinson kicked a penalty goal. A second penalty kick from Jonny Wilkinson in the twentieth minute put the England rugby team ahead six points to five and then a third by Jonny Wilkinson eight minutes later extended the England rugby team's lead by a further three points. Two minutes before the end of the first half the England rugby team added to their points tally with a Jason Robinson try making the half time score Australia 5 England 14.

Australia began the second half as they started the first scoring early this time through a penalty goal from Elton Flatley after 47 minutes. as the half went on the England rugby team began to lose their grip on the game and in the sixty-first minute Flatley ate into the England rugby team's lead again with his second penalty goal. In a dramatic finish Flatley temporarily broke the hearts of the England rugby team and their fans with a last minute equalising penalty goal. After failing to score in the second half the England rugby team had squandered a 9 point lead and found themselves forced into extra-time. Two minutes into extra-time Jonny Wilkinson restored the England rugby team's lead with his fourth penalty goal of the match, the lead lasted for fifteen minutes until Elton Flatley tied the scores again with his fourth penalty goal. In the last couple of minutes of extra-time the England rugby team pressed forward and with only 26 seconds left on the clock Jonny Wilkinson created one of English sports finest moments as he kicked a final drop goal effectively winning the tournamemnt for the England rugby team. The final few seconds ran down until the referee blew the final whistle confirming the England rugby team as the 2003 Rugby World Cup champions.

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