Woodward rues England’s failure to kick goals in All Blacks defeat

london — Clive Woodward has blamed decisions to decline kickable penalties for England’s agonising 16-15 loss to world champions New Zealand at a rainswept Twickenham on Saturday.

Woodward, England’s coach when they won the 2003 World Cup final, added that current boss Eddie Jones ought to feel “cranky” with the defeat.

England swept into a shock 15-0 lead on the back of tries by Chris Ashton and co-captain Dylan Hartley. But the All Blacks clawed their way back either side of half-time, a try from full-back Damian McKenzie followed by 11 points from the boot of fly-half Beauden Barrett.

“There were lots of plus points, but they lost the game,” Woodward told BBC Radio on Sunday.

“That was a game England should have won and I’d be pretty cranky this morning if I was in Eddie’s shoes,” added Woodward, whose England side beat an Australia team coached by Jones to win the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney.

“They lost by one point and you don’t get many chances to beat the All Blacks.”

There was drama four minutes from time when it appeared impressive England flanker Sam Underhill had scored a match-winning try but French referee Jerome Garces, acting after the TV official intervened, disallowed it for offside. But Woodward said the ensuing controversy could have been avoided if England had gone for goal rather than opted for attacking line-outs with successive penalties in the 48th and 49th minutes. —

AP New Zealand’s Damian McKenzie skips past the challenge of England’s Sam Underhill during the Rugby Union international match at the Twickenham stadium in London. —