The raw emotion of defeat to England was made all the more painful as Australia bade farewell to two of the longest-serving and most decorated players in their history.

Stephen Larkham and George Gregan will never play for the Wallabies again, having already announced their decision to retire from Test rugby at the end of the tournament.

Defeat was a cruel end for two illustrious, record-breaking careers. Larkham, sidelined by a knee injury, was reduced to tears as he joined the squad on the field after England had snatched a dramatic 12-10 victory.

Gregan had just played his 139th and final Test and delivered a passionate address to the squad.

Larkham could not contain his emotion.

''When I went out onto the pitch and just looked at the faces of some of the guys and realised that I wouldn't play with them again, that was very emotional,'' he said.

''The disappointment for the guys not winning is the big thing. But then I was thinking of myself - just the fact that I won't be able to play for Australia again.

''Out there on the paddock after the match, I caught George's eye and I had to go up and give him a hug. That was very difficult for me.''

Larkham and Gregan played 79 Tests together for Australia, won the World Cup in 1999, beat the Lions in 2001 and guided the ACT Brumbies to Super 12 titles. They won every honour in the game and are two of just eight players to have won a ton of Test caps.

''He's been the rock behind my career,'' Larkham continued.

''Every game that I've played, he's been there. He's certainly played a lot more games than I have and he was sort of my mentor when I first started in the five-eighth role.

''He coached me through the early years and continued coaching me through the latter years in terms of correcting little things in my game - and for that, I'm in debt to him.''

Australia captain Stirling Mortlock was devastated his long-time Wallaby and Brumbies colleagues had bowed out of the Test arena on such a low.

With their pack demolished and England dominating the breakdown, the Wallabies missed Larkham's experience and control at fly-half.

Mortlock had the chance to kick Australia into the lead with a 45-metre penalty wide on the left four minutes from time.

He thought it was over until the touch-judge waved it away. The kick had missed by little more than a foot.

''It was a very sombre night and very emotional,'' said Mortlock.

''The two guys have given Australian rugby so much, and it is disappointing we didn't have an opportunity to send them off in a fitting style.

''We said a few quiet words over a couple of beers last night. You'd love nothing more than to send those guys off with a win.

''They have given Australian rugby and world rugby so much.''