Morley still believes in Smith

Veteran forward Adrian Morley believes England coach Tony Smith is the right man to lead the national team despite their World Cup flop.

England's only win at the World Cup came at the expense of minnows Papua New Guinea and their fortunes hit a new low when they suffered an embarrassing 52-4 hammering by Australia, the eventual runners-up.

"What happened was totally disappointing but Tony has a great record as a coach and don't forget it's only last year when he led us to a series win over the Kiwis for the first time in ages," Morley told the Manchester Evening News.

"Much better was expected of his team in Australia but I say keep faith in him, see how things pan out this season and then decide.

"He's certainly a very innovative coach. I rate him and he does have good ideas but it just didn't happen in the World Cup."

Morley, at 31 the elder statesman of the England pack, is at a loss to explain England's abject performances in Australia.

The former Leeds and Sydney Roosters forward said: "It's now gone, we've had to try and get it out of our system and look ahead but the way things went did hurt me and disappoint me."