Freddie Burns "gutted" by England defeat

England fly-half Freddie Burns has admitted that the team is "gutted" following their defeat to New Zealand in Auckland.

The under-strength tourists were beaten 20-15 by the world champions on Saturday in the first encounter of their three-Test series.

Burns kicked 12 points for England, but a late try from Conrad Smith sealed the victory for the All Blacks.

"We're gutted," Burns is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "We had opportunities, but credit to the All Blacks. Give them a sniff and they will take it.

"We will try to take the positives into the second Test and learn from it. Everyone stood up and was counted, we wanted to prove a point and we did that, and we have players coming back and can do well next week."

England and New Zealand face off in the second Test next Saturday in Dunedin.

Written by
Jack Prescott