Jonny Wilkinson booted 14 drop goals in his World Cup career, but most of us only remember one – and it will forever haunt Australian supporters.
The 2003 tournament, Wilkinson’s second, was the fly-half’s coming of age. He landed eight drop goals that year (seven more than any other player), including three in one match against France.
In the final against the Wallabies he steadied English nerves with two penalties before he set up Jason Robinson for a try just before half-time.
Despite missing drop goals which would have won England the match before full-time, Wilkinson kept his concentration in extra-time and landed the clincher on his non-preferred right foot to deliver England their first William Web Ellis trophy.
Wallabies fly-half Stephen Larkham, who knew what it was like to kick a sensational drop goal to win a match, looked back on the moment with fondness rather than disappointment when speaking with Total Rugby.
“It was one of the greatest finals to be a part of. You want a teetering, see-sawing match where it comes down to the last minute of the game,” Larkham said.
Plagued by injuries after 2003, Wilkinson continued to contribute for England where he could on his limited match time. He announced his retirement from international rugby after the 2011 World Cup.
As well as the drop goal record, he is the World Cup’s leading points scorer with 277 in 19 matches.
The Roar’s World Cup Countdown:
30. Grant Fox’s record 30 conversions from the 1987 World Cup
29. All Blacks claim the 1987 World Cup, 29-9
28. Tonga stun Italy with Sateki Tuipulotu’s boot, winning 28-25
27. 27 per cent of tries came from scrums in 2003 with Canada showing the value of the set piece
26. David Pocock made 26 tackles in a fantastic performance against South Africa in the 2011 quarter-finals
25. South Africa’s 25 wins from 29 matches at the World Cup
24. Wales scores 24 points in the first half against New Zealand but still lose in 2003
23. Nick Farr-Jones 23 wins as Australian captain including an historic 1991 World Cup win against England
22. The Wallabies notch a cricket score with 22 tries in a 142-0 thumping of Namibia in 2003
21. Georgia’s David Dadunashvili becomes the youngest (21) to start at hooker in a World Cup match
20. The first World Cup classic finishes 20-all between Scotland and France in 1987
19. 19-year-old George North becomes youngest World Cup try scorer in 2011
18. Since their first and only win Japan has gone 18-straight World Cup games without victory
17. New Zealand coaching staff present 17 alleged refereeing errors to explain 2007 loss
16. George Gregan and Jason Leonard involved in 16 wins each at World Cup level
15. Jonah Lomu’s 15 tries in 11 matches
14. Jonny Wilkinson’s 14 World Cup drop goals including his most famous one in England’s 20-17 win over the Wallabies
13. Philippe Sella’s fantastic career at No.13 with 13 starts for France at Rugby World Cups
12. The Wallabies record 12-game winning streak from 1999 to 2003
11. Fiji win 11 out of 11 lineouts against Wales during a stunning 38-34 win in 2007
10. David Campese’s 10 tries for the Wallabies at Rugby World Cups
9. Matt Burke’s 9 points per game average after an amazing 1999 tournament
8. Diego Ormaechea, at age 40, was the oldest number 8 to play at a World Cup
7. No.7 Michael Jones scores the first ever World Cup try
6. Marc Ellis’ record six tries in a match against Japan
5. Jannie de Beer’s five drop goals in a match against England in the 1999 quarter-finals
4. Michael Lynagh’s four tries in World Cup matches including his match-winner against Ireland
3. Cardiff has hosted World Cup matches for three tournaments and will make it a record four in 2015
2. Christophe Lamaison’s two drop goals in semi-final blinder
1. The Webb Ellis Cup.
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