Jack Brown admitted he felt like it was an "out of body moment" as England defended their Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup crown in thrilling style.
The decorated player came off the bench to score a hat-trick of tries in the 50-38 success over France, a hugely entertaining final played out at Wollongong in Australia.
Ruthless England became the first nation to raise the trophy three times and the first England team to secure back-to-back titles.
Brown has played in them all, tasting victory in 2008 and 2022, as well as two other World Cup final appearances when losing to France in 2013 and 2017.
But on making history today against their fiercest rivals in a brilliant advert for Wheelchair rugby league, he admitted: "I feel amazinlgy proud.
"I'm feeling a little bit out of body at the moment.
"That was an incredible display. It was so much fun playing with the guys.
"Everyone was looking after each other. We said we had to sort of play lifeguard for each other; when one of us would drop, the other guys would go in and save them and when they dropped, someone else would put their hat on and go and save them, too.
"That's what was proved today."
England raced into an early 10-0 lead before France hit back to go 16-10 in front.
Tom Coyd's side battled back, though, for a 28-22 interval advantage before an absorbing and largely thunderous second half saw England eventually pull clear in the closing stages.
Asked at what point did he know they'd done it, Brown conceded: "With five minutes left, I looked up and I said: 'Damn, are we that far ahead?' Maybe we should start slowing down a little bit!'
"That's when I saw a light at the end of the tunnel and knew we had to slow down the game and control the ending. I didn't have a clue until then!
"I have to say a massive thank you to all the people who support us; we have loads of support, who give us all the best equipment, best research, best places to stay and we can't thank them enough.
"It's not just the ten lads in that squad that are lifting that trophy; it's every member of staff and every person in that corner making so much noise. It's their World Cup, not just ours."
