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The immediate inquest into England’s failure to survive the pool stage of their own World Cup threw up a thousand questions about Stuart Lancaster’s future as head coach that were never likely to be answered.

However, New Zealand had themselves to blame as a litany of errors crept into their game after the initial spell and they failed to get any flow and continuity in their game. A couple of lovely offloads from Sonny Bill Williams and Conrad Smith had the Lelos scrambling, and when...

It took 61 minutes, but Sam Burgess made his Rugby World Cup debut for England against Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday morning (AEST).

Australia pinned Fiji back in their half for the opening 10 minutes, but a few forced final passes saw the Wallabies only bag a Foley penalty for their dominance after the islanders strayed offside.

Bernard Foley put the Wallabies in front early with a penalty but mid-way through the first half, Nemani Nadolo levelled the score with one of his own.

“We see it as a great opportunity to come up against a very good and extremely stiff opposition, a team that is immeasurably passionate about playing for their country”.

The Australia players, meanwhile, are focused only on their opening game against Fiji on Wednesday though the majority of the 31-man squad have rebuffed all questions on playing pool opponents England and Wales, a mantra instilled by Cheika.

When they last met, in June 2013, in front of 20,000 in Toronto, Ireland eased to a 40-14 victory.

Under Hansen’s reign, the All Blacks have only suffered defeat three times in 47 Tests.

Prime Minister David Cameron claimed the 6ft 7in, 18st 9lb former lock broke the antique chair at a gala to welcome the Rugby World Cup teams, the Mirror has reported.

Argentina have included seven World Cup debutants in a youthful team to take on the All Blacks in the Pool C opener.

Those wishing to attend the finals are to be reminded that on tickets bought from official sources will be valid.

To make an emphatic statement in their Wembley match against an Argentina side powered by a bruising pack, the All Blacks will field a team with an average age of 28 and featuring 1,013 caps in the starting XV and a further 316 caps on the bench.

Lancaster said: “I thought Browny was excellent”. We have to be more direct, we were a little bit lateral.

The 11 All Blacks marking their first RWC appearance are Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea, Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett. “But it also means they know a lot more about...