Lewis Moody of England looks on during the Rugby World Cup match against France in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2011. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty
Sudden-death was looming and the teams remaining tied. Extra time had just one minute left. The throw-in had to go long. It had to be straight, inch perfect. It was high risk.
It was also Steve Thompson’s William Tell moment, the tension unbearable as he released the ball – he didn’t miss. Lewis Moody, towards the tail of the lineout, soared high, delivering a perfect fast ball to scrumhalf Matt Dawson. Moments later, following a sniping run from Dawson, Jonny Wilkinson’s drop-kick beat Australia, winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup for England.
Thompson now suffers from early onset dementia; also probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which can only be confirmed postmortem.
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