Wilkinson named player of the year
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Wilkinson scored 15 points in England's win in the World Cup final
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SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked the deciding drop goal in the final seconds of the 20-17 extra time Rugby World Cup win, has been named International Rugby Board player of the year.
He was one of five players -- the others were New Zealand's Richie McCaw, France's Imanol Harinordoquy, Australian Phil Waugh and England's Steve Thompson -- nominated by a panel of former players.
"It's been a year to remember," said Wilkinson.
"We wanted to cap it off like this and thankfully it happened."
Wilkinson finished with a haul of 15 points in England's 20-17 victory in Sydney and also supplied the pass for Jason Robinson's first half try, but he was quick to pay tribute to a team effort.
"The work goes back four or five years. We've tried to put it in for every single game, we've put ourselves on the line."
The 24-year-old world player of the year saved his best for extra time in the final, restoring England's lead with a long-range penalty to put them 17-14 ahead, only for Elton Flatley to pull the Wallabies level again.
But Wilkinson kept his nerve and, having failed with several attempted drop-kicks earlier in the match, made no mistake with a right-footed effort that sent a large contingent of England fans delirious.
His heroics in the six-week long World Cup tournament are set to make the unassuming Wilkinson a fortune in endorsements and sponsorship and he has already appeared in a high-profile advertisement with England football captain David Beckham.
England's Clive Woodward was voted coach of the year after guiding England to the Six Nations grand slam, June victories in New Zealand and Australia and the World Cup.
Those achievements also saw England named team of the year.
"We have had a very successful four years. We have always put our full-strength side out and decided if we did that the World Cup would take care of itself one way of the other," said Woodward.
"I have a brilliant coaching team but a coach is only as good as his players. You have got what you deserve fellas and a big, big well done from me."
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