Redman said: "I told them that they were allowed half-an-hour to feel sorry for themselves. Then the tournament goes on and England are still in it. It was always going to be extremely tough for us to get into the semi-finals from the group we had. Now we've got to gather ourselves together and finish fifth.

"I thought our defence in the first half was outstanding, but New Zealand capitalised on a couple of mistakes and once they had gone two scores ahead it was very difficult for our lads to cope mentally with losing the game and going out of the top four. Once they'd gathered themselves they finished strongly and I don't think we ever gave up.

"We knew we'd get three physical games in our group and Samoa, Argentina and New Zealand certainly didn't disappoint us.

"I'll stick my neck out and say New Zealand are the best team in the tournament - they have that physicality and skill - but we were in it at 10-3 at half-time and then 10-6 early in the second half. I couldn't have asked much more of our defence.

"I don't think it's any secret that we don't really have any superstar players but we have a team that plays together and puts their bodies on the line.

"Under pressure against Samoa and Argentina they continued to work for each other until the last minute of the game and that's a huge quality. We've got a team of fighters and we'll fight to finish fifth."

ends