King: I didn't do myself justice

The England outside-half from Brighton played against New Zealand Academy and the Maoris on his country's ill-fated tour of the southern hemisphere.

But he was deemed surplus to requirements for tests against the All Blacks and South Africa and flew home early to begin a four-week break.

The Wasps star admitted: "It was a tough tour. I was disappointed not to be required for the Tests but I've learnt a lot. "The main thing is the power and pace of the game. Your thought processes have to be quicker.

"Their basic skills aren't better than ours but they are so strong and dynamic.

"Players out there live to be All Blacks. It's the whole aim in life."

King reckons players in England could reach the same sort of intensity if there was a reduction in the size of the Premiership.

He argues top players should be shared between fewer clubs and play against each other more often.

But he added: "I can't see things changing."

England were never given a chance of upsetting their powerful southern hemisphere opponents when a host of top-line players pulled out of the tour.

They suffered a record defeat by Australia, then a string of setbacks against various opponents in New Zealand.

But King insisted: "It would have been a massive struggle whoever went.

"All the players who went out there saw it as an opportunity to stake a claim and it's fantastic for the players who've taken their chance.

"I was disappointed because I didn't play as well as I could but I'm confident I'll be raring to go again by the start of the new season."

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