Smith - We must bounce back

Former Leeds Rhinos boss looking for a second crack at Aussies

Last updated: 2nd November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Smith - We must bounce back

England: Looking up at Australia

We are disappointed but we have got to stand up and take it on the chin. Fortunately in this tournament we get to bounce back and have another crack

England coach Tony Smith
Quotes of the week

England v New Zealand


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England coach Tony Smith admitted his side were hurting after suffering at the hands of Australia at the Telstra Stadium in Melbourne.

The reigning champions showed just why they are the heavy favourites to retain the trophy with an emphatic 52-4 win against a team that were billed as their closest challengers.

Melbourne duo Greg Inglis and Billy Slater both scored hat-tricks while Scott Prince, a late replacement for Johnathan Thurston, kicked eight goals.

England's only points came when James Roby crossed, the hooker's effort at that stage making the score 12-4 in the first half.

Flyer

"We're hurting about it," Australian-born Smith told Sky Sports. "They got off to a flyer but we felt we could fight back into it.

"The try just before half-time hurt us a little. After half-time we didn't execute a couple of things and gave them another flyer.

"There are some things I thought we improved on from last week and we are going to hang on to those."

Smith will now try and pick up the pieces ahead of next week's Pool clash with New Zealand at the Energy Australia Stadium in Newcastle.

The game is likely to a be a dress rehearsal for a semi-final showdown between the two - which would give both countries the chance for a second crack at the Australians.

"We are disappointed but we have got to stand up and take it on the chin," Smith added. "Fortunately in this tournament we get to bounce back and have another crack.

"We need to fix a few things and get ready for the Kiwis next week, but we are all hurting."

Better

A slightly shell-shocked Jamie Peacock admitted England have plenty of work to do if they are to have any chance of winning the tournament.

The captain felt his side were "off the pace" as they conceded nine tries to suffer their heaviest ever World Cup loss.

"We have got a lot of work to do. We were off the pace," he admitted.

"It seemed that every time they got in our 20 they scored. If we want to progress in this tournament we have got to be better."