ENGLAND LET IT SLIP FOR A FOURTH TIME

But Borthwick proud of team's smart rugby despite blowing lead in loss to All Blacks

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LONDON - It was hardly a revealing insight, but England rugby coach Steve Borthwick said his team need to get better at closing out tight games as, for the fourth time in five matches, they blew a late lead to go down 24-22 to New Zealand at Twickenham on Nov 2.

England led by eight points after an hour, only for New Zealand to claw their way back ahead after 77 minutes.

Borthwick's side still had chances to win it as George Ford hit the post with a penalty then sent a drop goal wide with the last kick.

The defeat came after they led both July games in New Zealand in the last quarter, only to lose, having also been foiled at the death by France in their Six Nations final game in March.

"I recognise the question (of letting games slip) but it's important to understand also how much went right," Borthwick said.