Portugal beat S. Africa, England to make quarters
with Samoa to miss out on the quarters; England for the second time in as many tournaments, and South Africa after reaching the semifinals in the season-opener on the Gold Coast.
Portugal, meanwhile, advanced Zealand counter the physical threat of England’s pack.
But it is the breakdown, where New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, set for a long sabbatical after this match, will face fellow openside flanker and England skipper Chris Robshaw, that is likely to prove decisive.
Lancaster, as he must, insisted New Zealand were beatable — but quite how England are meant to cross the All Blacks’ line remains to be seen.
Doubts persist over England’s ability to create and indeed, such have been their numerous handling errors this month, finish tries against the world’s leading teams.
A midfield combination of Brad Barritt and Manu Tuilagi lacks little in physical power but neither man could said to be the natural successor to ballplaying 2003 World Cup-winning centre Will Greenwood.
“This is a young side who have pushed two southern hemisphere teams very close,” said Lancaster. “We are hugely motivated to get that win this weekend.
“Our mindset going into the game we have a ‘no fear’ mentality and we want to make sure that we front up.”
A lack of composure cost England dear against both the Wallabies and the Springboks and Lancaster stressed: “We have got to keep our brains cool.”
McCaw says his players will be fighting fit to face England on Saturday, despite a virus having struck the All Blacks squad.