They lost a few battles along the way, and in the end they lost the war.

That was how Australian coach Eddie Jones summed up the Wallabies' World Cup, which ended in a heart-breaking 20-17 loss in extra time to England.

It took a dramatic drop goal by England star Jonny Wilkinson with only 26 seconds left in 100 minutes of rugby to decide the world champions.

Jones said his side was shattered to come up short after clawing its way back from a 14-5 halftime deficit to level at 14-14 at the end of regular time.

Five-eighth Elton Flatley booted a penalty goal which sailed through the posts in the final seconds to push the match into 20 minutes extra time.

Wilkinson again put his side ahead through a successful penalty strike two minutes in, which Flatley matched with two minutes left on the clock.

But no-one could match Wilkinson, who lived up to his billing as the world's best player.

The defending champions entered the World Cup on the back of some mediocre form, losing the Bledisloe Cup, the Tri-Nations, and to England in June for the first time at home.

They produced two shaky performances in their last pool game against Ireland and the quarter-final win over Scotland, before hitting their straps with an emphatic semi-final win over New Zealand.

The Wallabies showed courage under fire, but in the end were beaten by a better side.

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