Smith bemoans poor first half following World Cup exit
Smith was left to rue a poor opening period for England
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Saturday, 15, Nov 2008 12:14
England coach Tony Smith said his side's first-half performance was what cost them their World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.
The Kiwis beat England 32-22 in Brisbane and will face either Australia or Fiji in the final.
England drew to within six points on numerous occasions in the second half but were always tantalisingly behind the Kiwis.
New Zealand had managed to pull ahead 16-0 before Smith made three substitutions midway through the first half that seemed to galvanise England.
Smith admitted it was the first 20 minutes which cost his side the match.
"I don't think it was nerves - we were just poor in that first half," Smith told Sky Sports 2. "Ten errors out of 15 sets - you cannot win games of rugby league like that.
"We did show commitment and desire and all those things. But you are playing catch-up all the time, and it costs you a lot of energy."
Danny McGuire scored with six minutes left to get England to within a converted try of levelling the scores but Smith's side could not quite reach their target having given themselves a mountain to climb earlier in the game.
The coach added: "Even in the last five minutes, we had a chance to win the game. We are all bitterly disappointed.
"We spoke at half-time - how disappointed we were. We came out and put a better half together - but that first half cost us too much."
England only have one victory over Papua New Guinea to show for their efforts during the World Cup but Smith still maintains his side are the third best in the world.