Borthwick: 'We were found wanting'
Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:56
England captain Steve Borthwick says his team "had been found wanting" in the 2-0 Test series loss to the All Blacks but that they would be stronger when they faced Southern Hemisphere opposition at the end of the year.
The All Blacks sealed the series victory with a convincing 44-12 win in Christchurch on Saturday, scoring five tries to two. The hosts won the first Test in Auckland last week 37-20.
"In the last two games we were found wanting against very strong opposition," said Borthwick.
"The effort has been there from our boys, the application has been there but ultimately it comes down to our precision.
"When you test yourself against the best you find out just where you need to improve. We will look at it. We have a strong management team who will reveiw this with us and we will be stronger". [For the home internationals towards the end of the year].
Borthwick said the All Blacks had made the most of their opportunities whilst missed chances had been costly as his side conceded 20 unanswered points in the first half.
"Whenever they saw a try scoring opportunity and got close to the line the took those opportunities and its a great credit to the quality team that they are.
"We had some opportunities in the first half and didn't take them and ultimately that cost us. We were a long way away at half time but it could have been a lot closer. I would like to credit the England boys for the way they stuck at it. Our precision let us down but it was an outstanding effort".
Borthwick added that his team's preparations had gone well after last week's loss, but admitted that they weren't able to execute properly in the match.
"You can have a great week's training but it all comes down to the 80 minutes," Borthwick said.
