England hero Jonny Wilkinson.

By Neal Collins, Sydney

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And finally, the Australians took defeat on the chin... and without too much ill-feeling.

The early editions of the Sydney Sun-Herald gave England credit for their extra-time drop-goal vcitory in the World Cup final behind a front page which says: "Read it and weep: field goal sinks brave Wallabies in final seconds."

They quote 1999 Wallaby World Cup winning skipper John Eales saying: "That was one of the best games of rugby I have ever seen. It was won by the best player in the world in Jonny Wilkinson."

The paper devotes four news pages to the final, highlighting the presence of 35,000 partying Barmy Army fans in their midst, including Prince Harry, who apparently refused to sign a Wallaby jersey but drank the local Crown lager and said; "I am very excited to be here, I hope England win."

Their back page has a picture of Lawrence Dallaglio taking Aussie skipper George Gregan by the collar with the headline: "Gimme that cup".

Rugby writer Ben Kimber, who spent seven weeks with us in the England camp, says: "Wilkinson waited until the final to unveil the form which has had him touted as the world's best."

And their grouchy rugby correspondent Greg Growden admits: "England won one of the greatest matches of all time," while repeating Wallaby coach Eddie Jones's immortal quote: "England are the best team in the world... by one minute."