DISAPPOINTED Sam Burgess refused to dwell on the decision that could have re-shaped the course of the Gillette Four Nations final.
The powerful Bradford Bulls star, pictured right, proved England's best performer with a two-try effort in the 46-16 loss against Australia.
However, having given them an early lead with a spectacular individual score, he blew a gilt-edged opportu
nity to put his confident side 12-0 up immediately afterwards.
Burgess broke clear but ignored the support of Sam Tomkins to try and dummy his way over.
Instead he was tackled by Kangaroos full-back Billy Slater, man-of-the-match Jonathan Thurston intercepted James Graham's subsequent pass and seconds later the tourists had levelled 6-6 at the other end.
"I do regret not passing it now," said the loose forward, who had sensationally fooled Slater earlier on the way to scoring a fabulous 40-metre solo score.
"I probably should have but I felt I'd done the right thing. I thought a couple were catching him (Sam) and he (Slater) took the dummy before.
"He's a clever bloke though. That's sport. Unluckily for us, they intercepted after and got in.
"It was nice to score that first try but it was no consolation.
"We didn't get that victory which was the goal at the start – to be crowned No 1."
Burgess, who heads to start a career with South Sydney next month, added a second to put England 16-14 up after 50 minutes and on the verge of their first tournament victory over Australia since the 1972 World Cup final.
But Tim Sheens's side typically rallied with an explosive finish, scoring six unanswered tries, Melbourne Storm's Slater completing a hat-trick as they regained their place at the top of the world order.
"That put us in front and we had belief in the camp and in the game," added Burgess.
"I don't know where it slipped away. They (Australia) are champion players and capitalised on a few chances to take it away from us.
"Full credit must go to them but we are bitterly disappointed. We've worked hard for five weeks and believed we could win the title."
Australia were still only 22-16 ahead after 65 minutes and England coach Tony Smith admitted the final result did not tell the whole story.
"Scoreline-wise we are disappointed," he said, in his last match in charge.
"I'm not sure if it really reflects the game. It probably reflects some of the special individuals Australia have.
"They have the ability to score special tries and they did that at the end – that blew the scoreline out. But for 60 minutes of that game it looked like it could have gone either way.
"It's probably an advancement for us in terms of what we have done against Australia – better, but not good enough."
Smith conceded there was some "puzzling" decisions, including Greg Inglis's first-half try in which the Australian centre did not seem to gain full control when touching down, but refused to use that as an excuse.
England improved on last year's World Cup debacle by reaching their first tournament final since the 2004 Tri-Nations, in which they were also beaten by Australia at Elland Road in a 44-4 defeat.
However, Smith, at the end of his three-year contract, added: "We want to be at the top of the world and we're not quite there yet.
"That's where we want to be as a nation and we'll work and strive towards that.
"I'm really proud of the players' efforts. They are building the belief they can do it. The Kiwis have been through it not so long ago, gaining that belief they can beat the Aussies.
"We're not far off but not there yet."
An injury to Castleford Tigers' Michael Shenton did not help England's progress in the second half, the centre being stretchered off after a sizeable period of treatment on the pitch on the hour mark.
