Robinson celebrates his try.

ENGLAND:

15 JOSH LEWSEY - Looked lively, finding gaps and repeatedly asked questions of the Australian defence. 8

14 JASON ROBINSON - Scored a trademark try as he sped over in the corner and saved England late on with a stunning tackle on Lote Tuqiri. Was targeted for Australia's try, but cannot be blamed for a lack of height. Always dangerous. 8

13 WILL GREENWOOD - A magnificent hard-running, hard-tackling display from one of England's most consistent performers. 8

12 MIKE TINDALL - Played the game of his life. His tactical kicking was faultless. his work in midfield and partnership with Greenwood justified why he was returned to the side ahead of Mike Catt. 8

11 BEN COHEN - Another steady, powerful display from the England winger and could have been away for a try if Dawson had found him on the outside. 8

10 JONNY WILKINSON - Match-winner extraordinaire. Turned in another magnificent defensive display then landed the winning drop-goal in the last minute of extra-time. Finished as the tournament's leading points scorer. 9

9 MATT DAWSON - Made several clean breaks and those trademark sniping runs from the base of the scrum, the last of which gave England the platform for Wilkinson's victory clinching drop-goal. 8

1 TREVOR WOODMAN - Threw an early punch but formed a crucial part of an England front row that outpowered and outlasted the Australians. 7

2 STEVE THOMPSON - Had a wobbly night at the lineout but a typical powerhouse display around the park. 7

3 PHIL VICKERY - Penalised frequently for infringements at the scrum, the last of which gave Flatley the chance to force extra-time. 6

4 MARTIN JOHNSON - Equalled Will Carling's RWC record for an 11th match as captain and was a man-of-the-match candidate. Powerful in the loose, masterful in the lineout. 8

5 BEN KAY - Marshalled the lineout well but a dropped ball with the line gaping could have proven costly. 8

6 RICHARD HILL - Ever-present, a real thorn in Australia's side both offensively and defensively. His return to the England fold in the last two games went a long way to winning them the World Cup. 8

7 NEIL BACK - Whippet-like at the breakdown, he and Hill harried the Wallabies all evening. 8

8 LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO - It was Dallaglio's burst which set up Robinson for England's try and a World Cup win caps a marvellous career for the number eight. 8

Replacements:

16 DORIAN WEST - (not used)

17 JASON LEONARD - On as an extra-time replacement for Vickery and, as always, did nothing to let the side down. Kept pressure on Australian front-row. 7

19 LEWIS MOODY - A very late replacement for Richard Hill, who cramped up. 6

21 MIKE CATT - Again made a real difference to England's attacking thrust when he was brought on for Tindall. 8

22 IAIN BALSHAW - A late replacement for Josh Lewsey. 6

AUSTRALIA:

15 MAT ROGERS - Enjoyed an excellent night with the boot and was a menace to the English defence running from deep. 8

14 WENDELL SAILOR - Missed a tackle on Mike Tindall that could have proven costly and was a quiet attacking force. 6

13 STIRLING MORTLOCK - Strong runner through midfield and a man England had to watch carefully. Had a major impact as Australia controlled the second half. 8

12 ELTON FLATLEY - Landed two sensational kicks when the pressure was really on. Flatley forced extra-time with one and levelled the match three minutes before the end to give Australia a fighting chance at the death. 9

11 LOTE TUQIRI - A constant thorn in England's side. Scored the opening try largely because of size difference over Jason Robinson but was a threat with running from deep and will be a star of Australia's future. 8

10 STEPHEN LARKHAM - Spent long periods of time in the blood-bin and his absence was noticeable. He supplied an inch-perfect cross-kick to expose England for Tuqiri's try. 8

9 GEORGE GREGAN - Made adventurous early decisions and led Australia to an inspired second-half comeback. 8

1 BILL YOUNG - A solid performance up front and involved in regular running-battles with Phil Vickery in the scrum. 7

2 BRENDAN CANNON - One of the hookers of the tournament but his lineout throwing was not as he would have liked and he failed to produce a commanding performance. 7

3 AL BAXTER - Only his third start in a Wallaby jersey and in at the deep end against England's powerful and experienced front row. Has vast potential but just not the experience for the evening. 7

4 JUSTIN HARRISON - Failed to impose himself on Martin Johnson in the lineout and Australia struggled there as a result. 6

5 NATHAN SHARPE - Replaced by David Giffin. Made a couple of hard runs but did not execute lineout sufficiently. 6

6 GEORGE SMITH - Outplayed by the England back row and the difference between a part-time blindside and England's Richard Hill was clear. 7

7 PHIL WAUGH - Harried England as he has all teams this year. 7

8 DAVID LYONS - Could not impose himself from the back of the scrum as Toutai Kefu might have if he had not missed the tournament through injury. Another bright prospect at just 23 and the next World Cup will be ideal for him. 7

Replacements:

16 JEREMY PAUL - Made more of an impact in the loose when he came on for Cannon. 7

17 MATT DUNNING - Snaffled one turnover off an England lineout when introduced for Bill Young in extra-time. 7

18 DAVID GIFFIN - Brought added leadership and experience when introduced for Nathan Sharpe and made significant difference in the second-half as Australia fought back. 8

19 MATT COCKBAIN - Another World Cup winner from 1999 and he brought added lineout know how and big-game temperament when brought on for Lyons in the second half. 7

21 MATT GITEAU - On as a blood-bin replacement for Larkham and showed nice touches, but did not have the same stamp of class. 7

22 JOE ROFF - Had little chance to impress when introduced late on for Sailor. 6