Gomarsall: It wasn't pretty, a bit like my face

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England had endured a barrage of criticism following their shocking 36-0 defeat to South Africa in the group stage, and even the Aussies were throwing out the abuse.

Wild: Gomarsall (front) and team celebrate

John O'Neill, Australian RU chief executive, claimed all Aussies hate England while Wallabies wing Lote Tuqiri cranked up the acrimony by insisting England had only one world-class back — and it was not Jonny Wilkinson.

Easter said: "Borrowing a quote from Nick Faldo after he won The Open, I'd like to thank the Press from the heart of my bottom. You guys have given us the siege mentality we needed to pull off this win."

Scrum-half Andy Gomarsall said: "It wasn't pretty, a bit like my face, and I can't believe it to be honest. It was sheer grit and bloody-mindedness. The determination and sheer grit was phenomenal. We believed we could do it, plenty believed we couldn't but the fans were unbelievable: every time we got a turnover they inspired us to victory."

Martin Johnson, who lifted the World Cup four years ago, added: "We got turnovers, put pressure on people, defensively got better and better — the work-rate was phenomenal.

"We scrambled when we lost tackles. At times we lost composure and should have scored twice as many points as we did. But we won the game.

"When they scored their try you began to wonder and Australia will be kicking themselves.

"Maybe they thought they'd win comfortably but England stopped them playing."

Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock said: "I was disappointed.Anumber of my kicks were extremely close.

"I should have kicked them and then it would have been a different game."