Rugby World Cup: UK press blitz Lancaster's bombers

England fans at home and abroad left reeling after waltzing Wallabies send hosts crashing out of tournament

England fans are reeling after their team was knocked out of the Rugby World Cup on home turf.

The dramatic exit sparked a frenzied attack on the team and coach Stuart Lancaster, who admits his job is on the line after England was thumped 33-13 at Twickenham by Australia in the pool of death.

Lancaster fronted media after losing the must-win game and said: "I understand the consequences, I understand where the accountability and responsibility lies and it's with me."

British media were quick to criticise their side. "No excuses, simply not good enough," read the headline in the Mail on Sunday, while the Sunday Mirror bemoaned a "Night of despair".

Sixteen-year-old English fan Charlie Banfield spent most of yesterday recovering after his side's 13-33 loss.

The Auckland Grammar pupil, originally from Oxford, watched the game with some mates in Parnell.

"The vibe was very nervous - the first half was disappointing - so we were all annoyed about that. Then halfway through the second half [it] felt really exciting. I thought we could do it and then I guess the team tired out.

"I think the pressure got to them in a way. They were in their home nation, and I thought we could do it this time, but I think they were young guys and their inexperience showed, I guess."

Since the loss, Charlie had been trying to avoid social media at all cost as his friends were rubbing it in.

"I've had loads of messages from all my mates in New Zealand saying, 'Aussie' and all that, so I've been keeping off social media to avoid the pain."

Although the loss meant his home team was out of the tournament, Charlie was diplomatic about who he now hoped to see take the cup home ... sort of.

"I have respect for whichever team wins - if I had to pick one, it'd probably be a team from United Kingdom. Probably not Wales though."

Meanwhile, injury concerns surrounding All Black captain Richie McCaw after he limped from the field during the clash with Georgia have come to nothing. The battle-hardened skipper told media after the match it was "nothing that a bit of ice won't fix".

Punter loses $10k on big win

England were not the only big losers in yesterday's game, with one punter waving goodbye to $10,000 after betting on Australia winning the match by between 1 and 12 points, TAB bookmaker Mark Stafford said.

But another brave soul will be feeling hopeful after the Aussies' 33-13 win. At the beginning of the year, the punter placed a $30 bet on a series of seven rugby-related outcomes, six of which have now occurred. The last outcome will be Australia winning pool A, ahead of Wales. If this happens, the punter will take home $39,000.

Mr Stafford said yesterday's game was the most bet on in the Rugby World Cup tournament so far, ahead of the match between New Zealand and Argentina.

The All Blacks remain favourites to win the Cup. Australia are second favourites.