Tuqiri crosses for the opening try.

By Andrew Baldock, PA Sport Rugby Union Correspondent, Sydney

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England conquered the rugby world on Saturday as British sport basked in its greatest moment for 37 years.

Not since England's soccer heroes beat Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, had the country known anything like it.

But as in 66, it required extra-time for England to achieve global domination.

A drop-goal in the last minute of extra-time from superstar Jonny Wilkinson gave England the World Cup and sporting immortality.

And fly-half Wilkinson, still only 24, received a prolonged ovation from England's adoring fans as he collected his winner's medal.

There were unforgettable moments everywhere - flanker Neil Back on the rostrum with his daughter Olivia, head coach Clive Woodward singing with his players, and above all, a squad that had achieved its crowning glory and ultimate objective.

Wilkinson kicked four penalties and that last-gasp strike that sent England into ecstasy, mission accomplished in sensational fashion.

But Australia went down fighting like true champions, wiping out England's 14-5 interval lead before finally conceding defeat.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard presented the glittering Webb Ellis Trophy to England skipper Martin Johnson amid special scenes of raw emotion.

For Johnson, twice a Lions captain and one of the greatest players in rugby history, it was his finest achievement.

But even England's talisman leader must have had his doubts when the Six Nations champions found a 14-5 interval advantage wiped out by Wallabies centre Elton Flatley's second-half penalty hat-trick that launched a dramatic final into overtime.

Flatley's equalising kick came with the last act of normal time after England conceded a penalty at a set-scrum.

Prop Phil Vickery appeared to be the culprit, and he did not appear for the extras as veteran Jason Leonard took his place, winning a 114th cap.

Wilkinson's four penalties, and a 38th-minute Jason Robinson try looked to have got England home in normal time and he edged them ahead again with a long-range strike on 82 minutes.

But the Wallabies kept battling and Flatley drew them level with a penalty deep into the second half of extra time, raising the possibility of sudden death extra time until Wilkinson delivered the knockout blow with his right boot.

It was the second World Cup final to be decided in extra-time after South Africa pipped New Zealand 15-12 in Johannesburg eight years ago.

Australia inevitably went for broke during the second period, and England's renowned defensive wall was given its sternest examination for years.

The Wallabies delivered a sensational defence of their title, never knowing they were beaten, but it was England's day after two hours of nerve-tingling excitement.

The red rose brigade were agonisingly close during normal time, yet Flatley, demoralisingly from England's perspective, sent the final into 20 minutes of more drama.

England though, ultimately ripped the gold Webb Ellis Trophy from Australia's grasp in a rain-soaked final at Telstra Stadium.

Woodward, for whom a knighthood now surely beckons, had spent six years planning his team's assault on global supremacy.

It was their 22nd victory in the last 23 Tests and fifth in a row over Australia, providing stark confirmation that world rugby's officially ranked number one team now have the world title to go with it.

And the win sparked a wild night of celebration in Sydney, with thousands of English fans relishing every moment.

Australia though, struck an initial blow that found out England's defence in simplistic fashion.

Fly-half Stephen Larkham aimed a steepling kick towards the England right-wing, and Robinson could not cope with it.

As he went up for the ball, opposite number Lote Tuqiri - formerly of Brisbane Broncos - used his superior height and weight advantage, grasping possession and touching down.

Flatley could not convert, but England, after a stuttering start, settled sufficiently for Wilkinson to slot an 11th-minute penalty.

It calmed the early nerves, and when Wilkinson landed another penalty nine minutes later, it wiped out Australia's early threat of supremacy.

Wilkinson completed his penalty hat-trick seven minutes later, and the man every Australian newspaper loved to hate was in charge of the final.

Flatley missed a 40-metre penalty strike that would have brought Australia back into contention, and England, with their forwards gradually assuming control, needed no second invitation to take charge.

As half-time approached, England went for the jugular, and there was nothing Australia could do to protect themselves.

A snappy Matt Dawson pass found number eight Lawrence Dallaglio, who acted as a crucial link to Wilkinson, and his delivery sent Robinson scampering away to register a potential knockout blow.

Wilkinson, having recovered from taking a heavy first-half knock when he tackled Wallabies replacement Matt Giteau, failed with the treacherously-difficult touchline conversion, but England still led 14-5 at half-time.

The Wallabies knew they had to respond quickly after the break, and they drew first blood through a Flatley penalty after Dallaglio drifted clumsily offside.

It was a needless three points to concede, and gave Australia hope that they could claw themselves back into proceedings.

England needed to re-assert themselves quickly, and a mighty scrum drive suggested that they had regained their appetite. The opportunity was wasted though, when centre Mike Tindall made his first mistake and kicked possession straight into touch.

As the rain fell incessantly, Australia had a 53rd-minute chance to further dent England's advantage, but Flatley's long-range penalty dropped under the bar.

Tindall, who had been England's outstanding first-half performer, made amends for his kicking error by launching a skiddy touchfinder into Australia's 22, and the England pack knew they had to make it count.

It did not happen though, and Australia had enough composure to lift themselves back towards halfway and relieve what had become worrying pressure for the home fans.

Flatley's second successful penalty, awarded after Vickery was punished for hands in the ruck, gave the Wallabies renewed hope that they could pluck the game from England's grasp.

Australia threw everything at England during the frantic closing stages, and for the Six Nations champions, it was a case of trying to catch the kitchen sink and hanging on.

For Australia though, even after extra-time, it was not to be, as England were crowned world champions and parties began on opposite ends of the globe, even though 120 minutes, rather than 80, were required to settle a stamina-sapping encounter.

It was simply sensational.

Teams

Australia: Rogers, Sailor, Mortlock, Flatley, Tuqiri, Larkham, Gregan, Young, Cannon, Baxter, Harrison, Sharpe, Smith, Waugh, Lyons.

Replacements: Roff for Sailor (70), Dunning for Young (93), Paul for Cannon (57), Giffin for Sharpe (48), Cockbain for Lyons (57).

Not Used: Whitaker, Giteau.

Tries: Tuqiri.

Pens: Flatley 4.

England: Lewsey, Robinson, Greenwood, Tindall, Cohen, Wilkinson, Dawson, Woodman, Thompson, Vickery, Johnson, Kay, Hill, Back, Dallaglio.

Replacements: Balshaw for Lewsey (84), Catt for Tindall (79), Leonard for Vickery (80), Moody for Hill (94).

Not Used: West, Corry, Bracken.

Tries: Robinson.

Pens: Wilkinson 4.

Drop Goals: Wilkinson.

Att: 83,500

Ref: Andre Watson (South Africa).