England's nightmare World Cup is over - Kiwis win semi-final 32-22

The dream that became a nightmare finally ended here in Brisbane tonight. England's defence was once again all at sea - no surprise there - as the number of points they conceded in four matches hit a staggering 142 points in total. That and the team's multiple handling errors killed off a brave enough but futile and technically inept performance, for which the blame can be spread across the board to players and coaching staff. Tony Smith isn't going anywhere, according to RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis, who gave the head coach his vote of confidence afterwards while expressing bitter disappointment with an under-performing World Cup from start to finish. Three times England fought to within six points of New Zealand while never really looking like finishing the job. Smith was unhappy with the different rule interpretations in the southern hemisphere, which England have clearly struggled with, but those certainly don't prevent players putting down pass after pass. I've never seen a worse mass case of dropsy in my time watching the game at Test level. Good luck New Zealand against Australia. You'll need it. Time for bed, I think.

Comments

[matty]

i think that we will need to change ! because it is insanity to do the same thing over and over again .. and expect a different result !

[dr paul]

Watching england playing League is like watching some old Challenge Cup footage from 1974 featuring Widnes or something. There is clearly talent but you need a coach like Phil Gould to take the reins

[mike hunt]

They did play slightly better but I am sorry we are just not good enough, very dissapointing.

[The Knocker]

OH MY GOD!
Another truly terrible performance.
Without Peacock and Morley it could have been even worse.
Wellens was truly dreadful, Gardner equally as bad, Purdham out of his depth totally, Roby awful, Westwood a liability, Calderwood (was he on the field), Burrow useless.
A great World Cup - NOT!!!!