All Blacks great Zinzan Brooke: England paper thin since 2003

England gave up a 10-point lead against Wales and crumbled in the final quarter against Australia. Photo / AP

All Blacks great Zinzan Brooke believes England isn't in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals because the side crumbles under pressure.

The hosts crashed out of the tournament on Sunday following a defeat to Australia at Twickenham, England second loss at Twickenham.

England gave up a 10-point lead with 10 minutes to play before losing their second pool A match to Wales and closed the gap to seven against Australia before letting the Wallabies close out the game in the final quarter.

Writing for the UK's Daily Telegraph, Brooke, who played at the 1987, 1991 and 1995 World Cups for New Zealand, said England's performance at the back-end of the defeats to Wales and Australia proved England's lack of fortitude.

"It is in the last quarter of games that we discover the most about a team's character and fortitude, specifically in their ability to shut the door on the opposition. England utterly failed to do that against Wales before Australia slammed it on their faces a week later," Brooke wrote.

Brooke, who played 58 tests for the All Blacks, said England took the wrong attitude into the Wales game, trying not to lose instead of going out to win.

"England seemed desperate not to lose the game, which is entirely the wrong attitude to take. You put your foot on their throat and apply more pressure. To squander a lead of ten points at Twickenham is unacceptable," Brooke said.

"Now look at what the Wallabies did in the last quarter. Like England the week before, they were on the wrong end of a momentum shift. After being 17-3 down at halftime, England got to within seven points heading into the last quarter. What did Australia do next? They shut the door. They finished England off not by retreating but by staying on the front foot."

Brooke said that since England's maiden Rugby World Cup title in 2003 when they were coached by Sir Clive Woodward, the English have become fragile and unable to handle pressure.

"Now look at their record in Six Nations since 2003. One title, no grand slams. That is a fairly pitiful record, particularly when you see what Ireland and Wales have accomplished with a fraction of the resources.

"Since 2003, I always thought England have been paper thin. There's an underlying fragility there. They have picked up some good wins along the way but never backed them up. Apply pressure and they crumple. "

Brooke backs Stuart Lancaster to remain as coach of England and said New Zealand faced a similar situation with Graham Henry following the All Blacks 2007 quarter-final exit and keeping on the coach paid dividends.

England play their final group game against Uruguay and Manchester City Stadium on Sunday morning. Australia and Wales clash at Twickenham beforehand to decide which nation to finish on top of Pool A and avoid South Africa in the quarter-finals.