England prepares homecoming Celebrations in pictures Feature: The real Jonny

After the initial celebrations died down, the 24-year-old fly-half relived the moment when he clinched victory for England.

"It was an amazing feeling," said Wilkinson, who was named international player of the year at an official awards ceremony on Sunday.

"We were level score with 80 seconds to go. You know exactly what you want to happen in the next 80 seconds but it seems barely possible.

"Then all of a sudden you find yourself under the posts and the kick thankfully just crept over.

"Suddenly what was a minute and a half ago looking very ropey, and possibly heading for sudden death or drop goals, then looked very rosy for us.

England sweep awards

"It was a massive team effort and a huge feeling of togetherness we had certainly for the rest of the evening and through today as well," added Wilkinson.

England coach Clive Woodward was named coach of the year and England team of the year at the IRB awards ceremony in Sydney.

Woodward reflected on his team's preparation for the big occasion.

We've got the winning habit and hopefully we can keep it Martin Johnson

"We had a clear routine of how we'd get a drop-goal. It just went absolutely like clockwork. That's why you win these big games.

"Probably the most important thing was when Mike Catt kicked it over the stand to finish the game - that was the moment I remember most," he joked.

Captain Martin Johnson said the huge support England had received in the Telstra Stadium had helped spur them on to victory.

"It was a home game for Australia, albeit a World Cup final. They don't lose a lot of games in Sydney," he said.

"For us to have - certainly where we were - parity in the stadium in terms of colours and fans was unbelievable. We weren't alone. We had a huge amount of support."

Johnson added that the team had shaken off their tendency to choke in the big games.

Wilkinson takes the attention away from the true architects of England's wonderful success From Jim C Have your say on Scrum V

"Maybe three or four years ago, we were losing close games. We were winning the majority but losing the occasional close one," he said.

"But the last two years we've mainly started to win them. We've got the winning habit and hopefully we can keep it."