Johnson proud despite All Blacks defeat

England manager Martin Johnson believes his team can look forward to the Six Nations with "pride" after a gutsy display against New Zealand here at Twickenham ended in a 19-6 loss.

England Coach Martin Johnson, seen here before the Investec Challenge Series International rugby union match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham, south-west London, on November 21.

Defeat saw England end their November campaign with a record of played three, won one - last week's unconvincing 16-9 success over Argentina - and lost two in a series that began with an 18-9 defeat by Australia.

England, and in particular Johnson's coaching team, found themselves subjected to fierce criticism after a wretched lack of ambition against an injury-hit Argentina team.

But against New Zealand they did try to run the ball earlier, even if, for the second time in three matches, they did not cross their opponents' line.

And it wasn't until All Black scrum-half Jimmy Cowan scored a try in the 57th minute here on Saturday that New Zealand pulled away from England.

It looked as if England were running out of steam against an All Black side where openside flanker and captain Richie McCaw was in charge of the breakdown during a man-of-the-match winning display.

But Johnson, who oversaw England's eighth straight loss to New Zealand and now has a record of six wins and eight defeats from 14 games in charge, still felt England should have narrowed the gap.

"I have mixed feelings because we could have been in the game with 10 minutes to go," he told reporters.

"When they scored it was a little too much for us to peg back but, saying that, we had chances at the end," added Johnson, England's 2003 World Cup winning captain.

"I'm proud of the effort the players and coaches have put in all week and everything they've done.

"It's been a tough week with all the criticism flying around.

"We could have been in there with a shout with 10 minutes to go. We had plenty of chances to score tries as we spent time in their 22.

"I'm proud of the guys but ultimately it's an opportunity lost to have a crack at them."

Johnson's iconic status within English rugby has so far shielded him from much criticism as has the fact he can hardly be blamed for being appointed last year without the benefit of any coaching or management experience.

Instead most of the flak has been aimed at forwards coach John Wells, defence coach Mike Ford and attack chief Brian Smith, the only member of the backroom staff that Johnson brought into the England set-up.

However, former lock Johnson insisted the trio would all be in post come next year's Six Nations.

"I'm happy with the coaching team. Considering what they've been through, they've done a brilliant job," he said.

"Absolutely this is the team I want for the Six Nations."

England have been severely hampered by injury and Joe Worsley added to the fitness problems Saturday when the recalled flanker lasted just two minutes before going off with a knee injury.

All England had to show for their efforts against New Zealand were two first-half penalties from ace goalkicker Jonny Wilkinson.

Nevertheless, Johnson was adamant England had made progress.

"As a group we've gone forward. We came into the series with a lot of disruption," he said.

"Only four players who started the Scotland game (England's last 2009 Six Nations fixture in March which they won 26-12 at Twickenham) started the Australia game.

"If it's not visible on the field at times, then off the pitch this group is a lot further down the line than in the Six Nations.

"The way they've handled themselves this week has been tremendous."