Sonny Bill Williams: We needed bulletproof vests for England post-mortem

All Blacks legend reveals coaches did not hold back after Rugby World Cup defeat

Sonny Bill Williams, right, embraces All Blacks teammate Ofa Tuungafasi following their crushing defeat by England in the Rugby World Cup semi-final. Getty

New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams claimed the All Blacks players needed "bulletproof vests" during a brutal analysis of their devastating World Cup defeat by England.

The treble-chasing All Blacks suffered only their second loss in 17 games against the English, who also ended New Zealand's remarkable 18-match unbeaten run in the competition.

Williams, who has two winner's medals, revealed that combing through the wreckage of the upset by a pumped-up England had stung and that the coaching staff had pulled no punches in a grim post-mortem.

"We went through the review and some of the boys had their bulletproof vests on," said the centre, set to bow out as an All Black after this week's third-place playoff with Wales. "Now we've just got to get on with it."

New Zealand, who had not lost at the World Cup since France stunned them in the 2007 quarter-finals, face Wales in Tokyo on Friday after the Six Nations champions were beaten 19-16 by South Africa on Sunday.

It is a match that nobody really wants to play – but Williams insisted it could prove cathartic for the wounded All Blacks. "It was a tough night, but there were some lessons," said the 34-year-old.

"Straight after the game, I didn't really want to play this week – but five or 10 minutes later I flipped the script and thought how good it would be to get through this, play again next week and put those lessons into practice."

With All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen stepping down after seven years, along with captain Kieran Read, it felt like the end of an era for what England boss Eddie Jones described as the "greatest team in sport".

But assistant coach Ian Foster, tipped to take over from Hansen before their crushing defeat, echoed the sentiments of Williams as he promised the clash with Wales would mark the start of a healing process for the All Blacks.

"It's a chance to redeem ourselves," he said. "We have players and management that are hurting and we want to go out and show we're better than that, and start this process."

Williams, meanwhile, called for a candidate with Pacific island or Maori blood to be considered for the All Blacks coaching set-up.

"There are going to be a few guys putting their hands up," said Williams, who is of Samoan heritage. "I'd like to see a Pacific Islander or a Maori in the coaching system that would have a bit of influence.

"There's a lot of Island boys, a lot of Maori boys playing for the All Blacks –there's a lot of space there for that growth."