England reeling at 76-0 defeat

England coach Clive Woodward was yesterday searching for a positive slant after his team's record 76-0 drubbing by Australia in Bisbane.

England leave for New Zealand today after conceding 11 tries at the Suncorp Stadium.

"We've got to be very strong about what's happened here and move on," Woodward said. "I'm sure we'll go out of this tour, whatever happens in New Zealand, with plusses. That's all I'm trying to do."

Woodward did not apologise for the fact that almost an entire first team had remained at home.

"This is the situation with this squad of players we've got," he said. "They are all fit, healthy and we'll play the fixtures. It's up to me to make sure we do stay positive.

"It's unhealthy but I don't put the whole blame down to the players at home. I know the state they are in. I don't think they would have done any better because they are all injured and knackered."

Acting England captain Tony Diprose, who had led his country for the first time, struggled for words after the night of shame.

"Everyone's a little shell-shocked," he said. "We were ripped apart at times by some pretty impressive Australian players. You take harsh lessons and tonight was one of those."

In the next month the English tourists take on New Zealand A at Hamilton, the New Zealand Academy in Invercargill, the All Blacks in the first Test at Caribrook in Dunedin and the New Zealand Maoris in Rotorua before the second Test at Eden Park in Auckland. They have a one-off international against the Springboks in South Africa on the way home.