News

Critics to fire up England

November 28 2008

Attack coach Brian Smith is convinced angry England will have a point to prove against New Zealand after a week of intense criticism.

England were crushed 42-6 by South Africa last weekend, prompting calls for Martin Johnson to sack his captain and change his coaching staff.

Former New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick described England as "terrible" and predicted the All Blacks would comfortably wrap up a Grand Slam tour.

Smith knows England are not yet the finished article but the England coaches believe they are not as far off being competitive as last weekend's scoreline may suggest.

Harsh words were said in the England camp on Monday and Tuesday but the coaches are anxious the young side are not shorn of their confidence when they run out to face New Zealand.

"If someone says we have no chance it is good - it fuels us and inspires us more," said Smith.

"We know we are not hopeless. We are clearly a team that is building. We are creating opportunities but we need to be more ruthless in our execution."