ENGLAND were denied their place in the history books last night, thanks to hammer-blow officiating and the stubborn Springboks. Jonny Wilkinson and Co had their hands ripped from the Webb Ellis trophy they have defended so stoutly in the last three weeks by an unforgiving South African performance. Pivotal match-turning decisions went against Brian Ashton’s men every time they had the upper hand against their green-clad opponents at the Stade de France. First television match official Stuart Dickinson questionably ruled out a superb try by Mark Cueto, adjudging the Sale Sharks wing to have strayed into touch. Then amazingly referee Alain Rolland penalised Newcastle man Toby Flood for crossing when no infringement was anywhere to be seen. The resultant long-range Francois Steyn penalty pushed England too deep into the mire – at 15-6 down – for any Sydney-style heroics. No last-gasp drop goal to seal an unprecedented second successive World Cup win, no last-minute drive for the line from a pack that fought gallantly for the edge up front all night. Instead it was the power-play of Jon Smit and his resilient friends that clawed on to the cup. Mathew Tait will be as furious as Cueto that England’s try did not count – the Falcons flyer collected the ball in his own territory and counter-attacked like he was at Kingston Park. Searing through Springboks like wind through trees, Tait nearly ghosted to the line. Scragged back, he recycled at speed for Cueto to add an expert finish – or so everyone thought. As the minutes ticked by, England fans hoped, Springbok fans sweated, but only Dickinson could decide. Trust an Australian to have the last word. Make no mistake though – England leave France with heads soaring high, despite dejection and desolation in defeat. An over-confident South African side may have expected a repeat of the 36-0 win that came 36 days previously, but right from the off any such illusions were shattered. If the world expected edge and nerve, then that’s exactly what they got. No clouds means no cover, and the Paris afternoon had been dominated by searing sunshine. A wonder to behold on a day like yesterday, but no good for ball handling, thank you very much. The edge and nerve came elsewhere in fact – in the shape of 21-year-old Tait. Just minutes in, Wilkinson shipped a pass into the 22 when he should probably have let the heavens have it. Nervously stepping up at second receiver, Tait refused the kick, preferring to jink back inside on the angle. Sadly the crispness of the sky also affects footing, and the youngest England man to start a World Cup final duly lost his. It was his first and last mistake in a sweet performance he should savour, despite the bitter taste of defeat. Percy Montgomery made no mistake, setting South Africa on their way. The second World Cup went to South Africa, not England, and it went the way most expected, settled through penalties. England can take solace from keeping top try-scorer Bryan Habana quiet, even thwarting the South Africa try-count with some fine first-half defending. Juan Smith will probably never fathom how he was stopped inches out. Scant solace in the end, with the spoils an inch and a million miles away. | 
