Justin Marshall: England shambolic, ABs on track

Let's cut to the chase. Do I agree with the All Blacks changing their game plan specifically for these so-called weaker pool matches? Yes I do.

In order to stay ahead of the opposition come knockout game time, they are changing what they are doing and the synergy isn't there yet. The timing is out, the ball is being dropped.

But in my opinion it's worth it.

The All Blacks are three from three and winning comfortably with bonus points - apart from the closer match against Argentina. We don't need to win the World Cup in the third round. It's won in the final, and I believe they are in good shape to do that.

Australia are the form team, no doubt. Against England they were ruthless. Regimented. Impressive. It's hard to be critical of that performance. It was a statement-type performance and no one else has been at that level yet.

And yet, they still have to play Wales at Twickenham, another huge match which will decide their quarter-final opponents. There is disappointment that England, the hosts, will miss out, but there is still so much to come in this tournament. Next weekend's France v Ireland match in Cardiff, for example, is huge. The loser will face the All Blacks in the quarter-final at the same venue a week later.

I am not surprised by England's demise. I thought they were disorganised and shambolic in terms of their selections and predicted that they would struggle under pressure. It appeared I wasn't the only one. I was lucky enough to be at Twickenham for the match - right by the players' tunnel, as Australia ran riot and there wasn't shock on the faces of any of the English players just resignation at the grim reality of it all. They needed a miracle to win that match.

As for New Zealand - are they far off? No, I don't think so. Big teams rise to big challenges.

Since the last World Cup, every time this team has been presented with a challenge they have risen to it, and I can't see that changing any time soon.