Lancaster "desperately disappointed"

Editor

England head coach Stuart Lancaster admitted Saturday's overriding emotion was one of disappointment after losing to New Zealand.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster admitted the overriding emotion was one of disappointment after losing to New Zealand.

Despite going 17-3 down early on the hosts fought back to take the lead late in the second half thanks to an accurate kicking display from Owen Farrell.

However a second try for Julian Savea and an Aaron Cruden penalty gave New Zealand a 30-22 victory as they remained unbeaten in 2013.

Reflecting on England's progression in November, Lancaster noted how new combinations had been tested but admitted than an opportunity to replicate last year's surprise win over the All Blacks hadn't been taken.

“You have to look at some of the players we've got missing and some of the new combinations we had, Billy Twelvetrees and Joel Tomkins playing for the first time together in this series,” said Lancaster.

“But the over-riding feeling in the dressing room is one of disappointment but that is just how far we've come as a team.

“Credit to New Zealand they are a champion side and they showed it in the end. If you went into the England dressing room, we are desperately disappointed to have lost to a team that has been unbeaten all season.

“Our belief in ourselves and the direction we are going is positive. The players have been great role models and they play with pride and character every time they pull on an England shirt.

“We talk about belief in building a team. when you are putting the jigsaw together of building a team we are definitely moving in the right direction.

“You've got pride in the shirt, a great coaching team and backroom staff and a Twickenham crowd 100 per cent behind the team.

“All those things help in piecing the jigsaw together to be the best you can be when the World Cup comes around.

“It's been about winning here and now but also building the team to win in 2015 and that is our aim.

“We were sixth in the world when we started, third in the world now, pushing second where I think we should be.

“That was the stated aim by the end of this season. We've got the Six Nations to go, a tour to New Zealand and if we keep progressing that should be achievable.”