We are ready to prove critics wrong, Woodward

England tackle holders and host nation Australia at Telstra Stadium this morning in a dream final of monumental proportions.

The sport's ultimate prize is on offer, with British sporting immortality awaiting England if they can emulate those English football heroes of 1966.

If England triumph, it will be the greatest British sporting feat since Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Bobby Charlton and company triumphed 4-2 against Germany at Wembley.

Woodward though, has retained an uncluttered, focused mind throughout this week's inevitably intense build-up, and yesterday's final press conference was no exception.

''I don't think winning is our destiny. We have been very clear about our approach, and have taken it game by game,'' he said.

''In the last few years, England have gone into Test matches as strong as possible - we have never rested players - that has not been our way.

''We have gone game by game, and we are now in a strong position. I am pleased where we are at. It's a great match-up between two great sides, and I think the World Cup has the final it deserves.

''It is not the most important day of my life - the World Cup will come and go. It is an important game of rugby, but I have had some very big moments in my life. Tomorrow is important, but no more than that.

''If you get carried away, you will not do your job properly. I am kind of pinching myself, because to arrive at a World Cup final absolutely full-strength is a fantastic position to be in.

''There is no other player available to England I would pick tomorrow, including the bench.

''Two of the most important messages to me have been from Eddie O'Sullivan, the Irish coach, and Alan Philips, the Wales manager. They are the ones you remember most, and their support for wanting England to win is utterly genuine.

''We all get on well - and compete like hell when we play against each other - but we respect each other. We have had tremendous support, but you have to put them all away until next week when I will reply to them.''

England's preparations this week have been light, but meticulous, and there is little doubt that Woodward is totally at ease, oozing a quiet confidence.

''In my experience, you have more chance of losing the game off the pitch by not setting the right standards, than actually on the field,'' he said. ''And if you get everything right off the field, the chances of success, especially with the very talented group of players such as we have, is increased.

''They really understand that, that it is not just playing for England, not just training for England and not just about winning for England, it is about understanding every concept and aspect of building any successful team.

''It is not a simple operation, it is a very complex one at times, but they have got the intellect and enthusiasm to sit down, listen and understand and get involved in this aspect of the game.

''I just think that they are very experienced, and I came into this World Cup believing that we needed an experienced team.

''World Cups are not the place to try out new players or have a young squad. This is the biggest tournament in the world for our sport, so you need an experienced and settled side, which is what we have got.

''I am still pinching myself, because we are going into the final of the World Cup with the strongest possible team.

''If you asked any coach what they would hope for, then it would be to have everyone fit, everyone raring to go.

''The players all know that, and that is why there is a quiet confidence about the place, but we don't want to go into a shell, we want to do everything as normally as possible.''

Woodward yesterday also gave an insight into the quiet, private moments just before England will take the field and face their destiny.

''I think that you would be very surprised with the dressing room - it is very calm and very quiet. There is no ranting or raving, everyone is just talking about performance and what we have got to do - the kick-off, the restart, the first tackle.

''Quite a few players will say quite a few things, but Martin Johnson is pulling the strings at that point. There are a few words from me and Andy (Robinson), but no more than that.

''We are ready now, and I think that a lot of what is said is massively overstated. You always hear these Churchillian speeches, and they are massively over-emphasised, but you never hear of what happens when teams lose.

''Hopefully, tomorrow will be like we always are - very quiet, very focused, and just talking about the game.

''It is about performance and how you are going to play, especially for the first five or ten minutes. If you start well, you tend to play well, and it is important that England start well tomorrow.''

One Australian newspaper yesterday encouraged Wallabies supporters to camp outside England's beach-front hotel in Manly, and take bugles and drums with them.

Predictably though, Woodward can see the funny side, as he has done all week.

''I don't think that we would lose a Test match because we had our sleep interrupted. It was noisy last night, and I heard a few people outside my window shouting 'boring, boring' - I was in bed with my wife at the time - but I am sure there will be some good-natured banter tonight!"