Smith: Critics will fire up England

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England were crushed 42-6 by South Africa last weekend, prompting calls for Martin Johnson to sack his captain and change his coaching staff.

"If someone says we have no chance it is good - it fuels us and inspires us more," said Smith. "We know we are not hopeless. We are clearly a team that is building. We are creating opportunities but we need to be more ruthless in our execution."

Harsh words were said in the England camp on Monday and Tuesday but the coaches are anxious the young side are not shorn of their confidence when they run out to face New Zealand.

"If we go into this game on the weekend feeling sorry for ourselves then we will get thumped," said scrum coach Graham Rowntree.

"It's hard. The players are hurting but they are very young and inexperienced. We were honest with them on Monday and Tuesday but then we have to build them back up again.

"We are not going to enter the game with any fear. This is the last game of the series for them to give a good account of themselves."