"When I lived here in Australia it made me realise just what sports nuts we are back in England. We're probably even more crazy about sport than the Australians although we probably don't do it in the same way or take it as seriously as they do which is our fault.
"I'm pleased that we've got this opportunity to be thought of as the best team in the world - but you can only be called the best team in the world if you win the World Cup.
"Now we've got the opportunity and the last team to do it was in 1966. It's not just in football where we have been waiting. It's in lots of sports. I found it frustrating that we have the talent but haven't brought the best out of that talent.
"To see the way they do it here in Australia is fantastic. If you are an Aussie athlete you're very lucky. You get fantastic support and backing. We're not at that level yet but this is a fantastic opportunity for us to try and achieve something."
The way Woodward was talking, in confident and relaxed mood, suggests he believes England are peaking perfectly for their ultimate challenge - and he had a special tribute for the captain he believes will be an inspiration on Saturday.
"Martin Johnson is the world's best captain by a long way. He's fantastic the way he behaves on and off the field," he said.
Woodward added that this quality had seen England through so many crises in the last few years. "The best was when we were down by 14 points to the Australians at Twickenham two years ago and we came back to win," he said. "To be honest I haven't seen them panic in the last few years."
Commenting on the observation in one Australian newspaper today that England looked like a team who did not know how to lose, Woodward was not going to rise to the bait.
"All I'll say is that the Australians will have to play very well to beat us this time. We've won the last four games against them and we are going into this match very confident.
"It's a team that's been through a lot, through good times and some bitter experience through defeat."
Whatever the outcome of Saturday's showdown, Woodward insisted, the important thing at the end of it was to have no regrets.
"There's no guarantee of winning anything in sport. Whatever happens on Saturday I won't be disappointed at the end of it as long as I know we've done everything possible. If we win, it's because we deserve it."
And even if the Australians did appear to be celebrating a little prematurely on Saturday night with a lap of honour, Woodward pointedly noted that Johnson and Co had their feet firmly on the ground and would not be interested in any celebrations until Saturday was over.
None the less, he was still adamant that the Australians were worthy finalists. "They know how to win the World Cup and they're at home. They are the team to beat."
