You were denied that try by the television referee in the World Cup final. Does it still hurt?


It's always going to be in the back of my mind. Rob Andrew was speaking to the boys in the dressing room after the final. He had been in a similar situation in 1991 [when England lost to Australia] and said that losing in a World Cup final is something that you will not forget for the rest of your life. Given what happened with that try, for me the memory will only be stronger. (Watch the incident here and judge for yourself)


You said afterwards it was a try. Are you still convinced of that?


I am, absolutely. There was no definite view to prove that it wasn't a try but there were 101 views to prove that it was. In that situation, the benefit of the doubt must go to the attacking side. In any other game, it would have been given.
I don't know how many people have told me that they're certain it was a try. It happens all the time, whether I'm at an event, in the street, or just putting petrol in the car. People will come up to you and want to talk about the try. It's nice that people are interested, that they're passionate about what we did. But it shows you the depth of feeling over the decision.

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