News

Haskell pleads for more time

November 29 2008

James Haskell has urged England fans to keep the faith because he believes the results will come under Martin Johnson.

England were comprehensively beaten 32-6 by New Zealand at Twickenham, hot on the heels of autumn losses to Australia and South Africa.

But Haskell insisted that England were capable of turning things around as Johnson instils his ideas within the team.

"Anyone watching at home who cares about English rugby should know we have the passion, we have the ability," the flanker told Sky Sports.

"It comes down to execution and ruthlessness. We will do it.

"When you're building something new, it takes time."

England were made to pay for some indiscipline as the All Blacks built a 12-3 half-time lead before running in three tries after the break.

"We were penalised quite a bit and you can't afford to have that against a side like New Zealand," Haskell said.

"The scoreline was pretty flattering to the opposition. At times we were pretty good."

However, Haskell refused to criticise the referee despite England being shown four yellow cards.

"At this level you've got play to the referee, play to his interpretation. We didn't do that and it's very disappointing," he added.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw was proud of the way his team played patiently in the first-half before punishing English mistakes later in the game.

"I think in the end, especially in the last 20 minutes of the game we benefited from a couple of mistakes and there might have been a few more," he said.

"A lot of what happens in the end is a result of what we did in the first half. We saw what was going to work and what's not. It's an 80-minute game."

The All Blacks have now emerged from a successful Grand Slam tour without conceding a try and McCaw pointed to the emphasis on defence.

"I think that indicates the attitude and the heart of the team, defence," he said.

"It's what wins games."