Thousands of English fans were among them. And when Martin Johnson held aloft the World Cup, the cheers echoed around Sydney’s harbour side.
Leaving the fans in green and gold to digest the grim reality of losing to the poms.
For most of the day Sydney had felt like a city under occupation - by boisterous, though largely good natured rugby fans.
A Jonny Wilkinson wannabee hoisting a toy wallaby wide of the posts and into the harbour… to be recovered by a water taxi.
A team dressed as referees red carding anybody that didn’t appear to be having fun.
Though most people did, in spite of intermittent and at times quite heavy rain. And by the time the game began an estimated 50,000 people were packed into the narrow streets of the Rocks, the former docks area of Sydney, alone.
Emotions ebbing and flowing wildly with the flow of game – and of course, the beer - only decided with that final Jonny Wilkinson drop-goal – and didn’t that come as a relief.
The final word being left tonight to England’s coach and his triumphant team.
After a week of pom-bashing - the time had come for England to answer their critics. The wet weather favoured the visitors - and did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the fans.
But it was Australia who were first off the mark...wing Lote Tu-qui-ri touching down after just six minutes.
Flatley couldn't convert but Wilkinson soon found his kicking feet - two more then followed for his hat-trick- and England were in charge. There was even royal approval....
As half-time approached the killer blow - Robinson making a sensational run to cross over. Wilkinson failed to convert but England still led 14-5.
The wallabies responded quickly after the break. Flatley pulled back six points after England needlessly conceded penalties -
Will Greenwood could've extended England's advantage once again - but was denied close to the line.
England were just holding on - but then in the last act of normal time - they conceded yet another penalty - Flatley stayed calm and the match went into extra-time.
Wilkinson soon restored England's advantage - but Flatley was out to prove his kicking skills as well - levelling the score at 17-all.
Then - who else but Wilkinson saved the day - a drop goal in the dying seconds - sealing England's victory and first ever World Cup success.
The last time England's sportsmen were world champions it was 1966 -- and today's triumph in rugby is fueling comparisons with the legendary football victory of thirty-seven years ago.
On the streets of London today - no doubt what England's sporting anthem of choice is. Forget more than 30 years of footballing hurt - at least England's rugby team wins titles - even if the game still has an elitist image - and the celebratory beverage looks a little more pricey.
Perhaps today's victory is just about ammunition for all those bleak sporting losses against the Australians sure to come - but England has a new national hero - and for many this is 1966 all over again.
Compare the usual 17,000 spectators at the country's most popular rugby club to four times that number at Manchester United.
Around 10 million watched this morning's match on British TV. 16.9 million tuned into England's last football game in World Cup 2002 - and that was just a quarter final.
The take home of England's top rugby stars sound pretty good - but footballers like David Beckham make so much more.
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