Brian Noble column

By Brian Noble
Wigan Warriors coach and BBC analyst in Australia

I'm bitterly disappointed to see England bow out of the World Cup at the semi-final stage to New Zealand.

We began poorly and, in any play-off type of game like this, your start is crucial. We gave Kiwis a 16-point lead and were always going to find it difficult playing catch-up rugby.

The commitment of the players was there for all to see. We just lacked the quality of skill needed to execute properly. Again, we didn't defend our line well enough to come home with the spoils. All in all, very disappointing.

As always, if England pick up injuries to their best players, they can't cope

Some players didn't raise there game or weren't up to the international mark. That's not surprising. Is the competition in Super League good enough or is the competition for places good enough to ensure England can compete with the best? These are perennial questions.

We certainly don't have enough players to make competition for places in the national team as tough as it should be. As always, if England pick up injuries to their best players, they can't cope. It's been the same story for the last 10 or 15 years. We need our best team on deck to compete at the highest level.

Tony Smith kept his cards close to his chest in the run-up to the game because he didn't want to tip off New Zealand to the way he wanted to go, but I was always confident he would play Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire together at half-back.

He also had to reward Ben Westwood, Rob Purdham and Mickey Higham for their performances last week.

Peacock was "outstanding" for England

But we lacked a little bit up front. I thought Jamie Peacock, Adrian Morley and James Graham were outstanding, but another front rower would have helped. Unfortunately for us, Maurie Fa'asalavu was injured.

Nathan Fien kicked very well for New Zealand and I thought Thomas Leuluai at hooker was outstanding, too. But we didn't defend the kicks well enough and didn't defend our line well either. We just weren't good enough on the night.

Everybody had high hope of England doing well. I know I did. So did the England team, the coaches, the fans and the journalists. We all wanted England in the final but that's not to be.

I'm sure the fans will be extremely disappointed and will drown their sorrows with a couple of beers. Then they will lick their wounds, get on the plane and look forward to another Super League season.

Brian Noble was speaking to BBC Sport's Phil Gordos.