Sir Clive Woodward blamed decisions to decline kickable penalties for England’s agonising 16-15 loss to world champions New Zealand at a rainswept Twickenham on Saturday.
Woodward, England’s coach when they won the 2003 World Cup final, added that current boss Eddie Jones ought to feel “cranky” with the defeat.
“There were lots of plus points, but they lost the game,” Woodward told BBC Radio on Sunday.
“That was a game England should have won and I’d be pretty cranky this morning if I was in Eddie’s shoes,” added Woodward, whose England side beat an Australia team coached by Jones to win the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney.
“They lost by one point and you don’t get many chances to beat the All Blacks.”