 Flatley kept Australia in the hunt in the World Cup final |
If England's match against Australia goes down to the wire on Saturday, Elton Flatley might just be the man to swing it the Wallabies' way. It was largely down to this less-heralded member of their star-studded backline that Eddie Jones' side pushed England all the way in last year's World Cup final.
Flatley's nerveless kicking kept the Wallabies in the hunt as his last-minute penalty sent the match into extra-time.
He again levelled the scores after Jonny Wilkinson had nudged England into the lead once again, before Wilkinson's famous drop goal finally killed off the hosts.
With Stephen Larkham injured, Flatley is set to start at fly-half at Twickenham, where he made his international debut in 1997 and scored two tries in 2002.
But the memory of last November's final still clearly rankles as he prepares for Saturday's re-match.
"When you go into extra time you come away thinking 'what if we did this, what if we'd done that?'" Flatley said.
"It's almost harder to take than if you've been comprehensively beaten."
The Queensland player confirmed his penalty in the last minute of normal time had been a nerve-wracking experience. "I was nervous, there's no doubt about that," he said.
"There were a few 'what ifs?' but you go into your goal-kicking mode and just try and get clear headed.
"It's nearly impossible to get everything out of your mind but you keep your focus and that's when your technique holds up under pressure."
Despite his heroics Flatley remains one of the more anonymous Australia players, largely down to his misfortune in playing at the same time as all-time great Larkham.
Flatley has won 36 caps since his debut seven years ago, but half of those have come as a replacement.
He can play at either fly-half or inside centre and after failing to displace Larkham in the number 10 jersey, he looked to have made the number 12 shirt his own in 2003.
He scored more than 150 points in 13 Tests but broke his arm at the start of the 2004 season and is now behind youngster Matt Giteau for the inside centre berth.
But with Larkham out of service with a broken arm sustained against Scotland, fate has finally smiled on Flatley, who insists he is happy in either position. "I like playing 10 or 12, in aspects they're the same, especially the style of rugby we're playing," he said.
"Obviously with 12 there is a bit more physicality involved but that's something I'm comfortable with."
Flatley has come on as a replacement in Australia's past three Tests, and admits he found it frustrating not being in the starting line-up.
"When you've been a starter you always want to get back there," he said.
"You can get a little bit frustrated but you also have to be a realist.
"I've not played a lot of football this year and the guy who's been in my position, Matty Giteau, has been playing some great rugby, so it's just a matter of when you get on the field making the best of your chances."
MMIX
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When you've been a starter you always want to get back there 