Jones hails victors as best in world - just

Published on Monday 24 November 2003 00:00

AUSTRALIA coach Eddie Jones praised England as the best team in the world - "by a minute" - after Jonny Wilkinson’s drop-goal seconds from the end of extra-time settled the World Cup final.

Jones was disappointed but nevertheless in good spirits after the game which saw Australia rally from a 14-5 half-time deficit to push the game into extra-time.

Only Wilkinson’s drop-goal in the 99th minute of play separated the two sides on a rain sodden evening.

"They were outstanding. They are the best team in the world - by one minute," he said with an ironic smile.

"I think they are an outstanding team. They play to their strengths. They have got a very good forward pack, some good, hard running backs and should be lauded as the best team in the world. They are extremely well coached, extremely well prepared and have got a huge amount of talent.

"They had to play well. We certainly put them under the pump and in the end we just weren’t quite up to it. We are shattered."

Jones’ Australia confounded the critics by reaching the World Cup final and had been riding an unprecedented wave of support all week. He has been rebuilding the squad all year and often referred to his preparations for the World Cup, through the Tri-Nations, as being like a trainer preparing his horse for the Melbourne Cup.

"You slug it out for 100 minutes and you get beaten in the 99th - I think that would qualify as a photo finish," added Jones.

"We gave ourselves the best opportunity to win the World Cup.

"We came up short but we put ourselves in the best position."