England lost trying to copy All Blacks: Henry

England suffered a humiliating World Cup exit because they tried to mimic the All Blacks without possessing the skills to back it up, former New Zealand coach Graham Henry said Sunday.

Henry, who guided New Zealand to the title on home soil in 2011, said England's failure to reach the knockout stages after a 33-13 loss to Australia was "a pity in some respects" because it diminished home fans' interest in the tournament.

But he said there could be no complaints from England, who gave 100 percent but were outclassed.

Henry said England had moved so far from their traditional strengths in trying to mimic New Zealand's free-flowing style that the Wallabies overwhelmed their once-renowned scrum.

Henry, who led New Zealand's failed 2007 campaign but was retained to oversee the 2011 success, offered no opinion on whether England coach Stuart Lancaster should be given a similar chance to stay on and redeem himself.

He praised Lancaster's personal qualities, if not his coaching ability.