England

Josh Lewsey: Again proved his worth in the number 15 jersey. Made some dynamic runs and kept the pressure on the Aussie midfield.

Jason Robinson: Always looked dangerous with the ball. Had little chance stopping Australia's try, but did his job at the other end touching down.

Will Greenwood: Handled the ball well with some creative touches and put in some big tackles but ultimately failed to shine.

Mike Tindall: More direct than creative, but did the job he was asked to do. Produced a vital clearance in the second half before making way for Mike Catt.

Ben Cohen: Worked tirelessly off the ball and did little wrong. Was given little opportunity to show his class with the ball.

Jonny Wilkinson: Signalled his intent early on with a tremendous 50 yard kick and came through in style with a last-gasp three-pointer.

Matt Dawson: Looked dangerous in patches and moved the ball out of the contact area effectively. A workmanlike display.

Phil Vickery: Struggled in the scrum - according to referee Andre Watson - and cost England a late penalty. Ran himself ragged in the second half.

Steve Thompson: Solid in the pack and around the park - but again showed his weakness with a number of shaky lineout throws.

Trevor Woodman: Another solid display but a number of erratic decisions in open play. Replaced by Jason Leonard after regular time.

Martin Johnson: Led from the front and a contender for man-of-the-match. Supreme in line-outs. A true presence on the field.

Ben Kay: A performance he will want to forget. Knocked on in front of the line and uncharacteristically struggled in the line-out.

Richard Hill: Did not enjoy his greatest performance but was there when he was needed. Replaced by Lewis Moody in extra time.

Neil Back: High work rate in the loose and caused problems for Australia when it mattered most. Blotted his copy book with some wayward passing.

Lawrence Dallaglio: Showed early match nerves, but soon got into his stride. Made the crucial break which resulted in England's only try.

Replacements: Catt came on for Tindall in the dying minutes of regular time. Leonard, Balshaw and Moody appeared in extra time as England held on.

Australia

Mat Rogers: Was seldom allowed to show his class but helped to relieve pressure on key occasions for the fighting Wallabies.

Wendell Sailor: Not great in contact and again poor in defence. A return to league beckons after another stuttering performance.

Stirling Mortlock: Dangerous and powerful with the ball in hand but was well shackled by an impressive England defence.

Elton Flatley: Solid enough in midfield and unlucky not to convert the first try. Missed a 50-yarder after the break but showed nerve late on.

Lote Tuqiri: Showed pace and strength. Capitalised on Larkham's kick for the first try and held off Lewsey in a race to the Australian line.

Stephen Larkham: Creative touches gave England plenty of scares but never quite recovered from an early bash on the mouth.

George Gregan: Dangerous around the rucks and mauls but failed to cause England too many problems. Was overshadowed by his opposite number.

Bill Young: Cornerstone of the Australian pack, but clearly missed the experience of his regular front row partner Ben Darwin.

Brendan Cannon: Not one of his best performances. Lost several line-outs and spilled the ball in open play. Substituted in the second half.

Al Baxter: Athletic around the field but struggled in the tight and ultimately failed to fill injured prop Ben Darwin's shoes.

Justin Harrison: A hit and miss performance, but showed he still has the ability to nick a number of balls in the line-out.

Nathan Sharpe: Australia's most consistent line-out forward. Good presence but was outshone by his English rivals.

George Smith: Again proved his worth around the park and helped to disrupt England on numerous occasions. Another fine effort.

Phil Waugh: Was quick to the ball on the ground. Plugged away for the entire 100 minutes as Australia forced England into extra time.

David Lyons: Effective at carrying the ball but no great contribution overall. Shackled well by England and replaced in the second half.

Replacements: Paul came on for Cannon, Cockbain replaced Lyons and Giteau came on for blood-bin victim Larkham but no-one made the necessary impact.