The battered and bruised world champions left Auckland for Brisbane, with two players having attended a disciplinary hearing and five more laid low by injuries.

Centre Stuart Abbott (shoulder) and prop Matt Stevens (knee ligaments) are out of the Wallabies clash, while Abbotts midfield colleague Mike Tindall (hip), prop Trevor Woodman (shoulder) and flanker Richard Hill (ankle) all have less than 50% chances, according to Englands medical staff.

The combined effect will make it one of the toughest weeks preparation since England boss Sir Clive Woodward took charge almost seven years ago.

Woodward spent his Sunday at the All Blacks team hotel, where locks Simon Shaw and Danny Grewcock were summoned before a three-man panel following alleged indiscretions at Eden Park.

Grewcock was banned from rugby until August 31 having been found guilty of reckless use of the boot to All Blacks centre Daniel Carters head. Shaw was acquitted after being sent off for use of the knee.

Added to their RBS 6 Nations loss against France in March, England have now suffered a hat-trick of defeats for the first time since 1998, and won only three from seven since last Novembers World Cup final triumph.

The statistics though, should not be allowed to cloud a vastly-improved England display that featured encouraging contributions from the likes of half-backs Charlie Hodgson and Andy Gomarsall, together with flanker Joe Worsley.

But Dallaglio was head and shoulders above the rest, delivering a towering performance in adversity that Woodward described as immense.

Now, the Wallabies await in Brisbane - Englands final challenge of a marathon campaign - and typically, Dallaglio does not intend shirking his duty.
I believe we can finish this tour on a positive note, he said.

We started the season by winning in Australia, and we have to try and finish the season by winning in Australia, and thats what we will try and do.

The whole squad will share my sense of frustration. We must look forward to one big effort and try and take something positive out of this tour. Playing Test matches is about winning games, and so far we are nil and two.

We now have to try and beat Australia, who will have their own motivation after events last year, he added.

It doesnt get any easier, but I am still determined to finish the season in much the same vein that I have played most of the season, by winning.