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"We weren't good enough": Steve Hansen accepts defeat on New Zealand off day

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen says his side simply "weren't good enough" in their semi-final def...



New Zealand coach Steve Hansen says his side simply "weren't good enough" in their semi-final defeat against England on Saturday.

The All Blacks struggled to a 19-7 loss at the hands of a relentless England and Hansen said after the game that his side can have no qualms.

"First of all I would like to congratulate England, they played a tremendous game of footy and on the day deserved to win the game," the long-time New Zealand coach said.

"They were the team that took the game and won the game. We have no regrets.

"Tonight we got beaten by a better side. Sometimes you find that sport isn't fair but tonight it was.

"You can't give them half a step because they'll take it and, at the end of the day, that's what rugby is about and well done to them."

Despite his belief that the All Blacks were second best on the day, Hansen maintained that he had great pride in the efforts of the team.

"I'm really proud of our team, they have done a tremendous job for their country and just tonight we weren't good enough so we have to take that on the chin and so does everybody back home, our fans - all credit to England.

"You saw the boys, at the end they were still trying their guts out and that's all you can ask, so really proud of them."

In all his pride though, Hansen explained that his disappointment and hurt was undeniable.

"The boys are desperately hurting, as are the management. You put in a lot of time and effort to try and win the thing but if you don't come to do that you have to put on your big boy pants and be counted.

"The adversity and hurt from this will feed a lot of All Blacks teams in the future so we will find that positive in it."

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England Rugby New Zealand Rugby World Cup Steve Hansen