Zinzan staggered by England fall

New Zealand legend Zinzan Brooke believes England are in "total disarray" ahead of next year's World Cup.

The world champions play South Africa on Saturday in the final match of what has been a traumatic year. Head coach Andy Robinson has been under immense pressure following a run of seven straight defeats, which eased only slightly after last Saturday's narrow win over the Springboks.

Brooke, who played 58 Tests in his 10-year career with the All Blacks, told BBC Sport: "I just can't believe the state English rugby is in at the moment. I am just about at the point where I don't really care any more. The games they are playing are just rubbish."

He added: "There is the whole debate still going on over whether Robinson should go, or should he have gone before? What are they going to do now if he wins this game on Saturday?

"Is he going to keep his position until the World Cup? Or are they going to turn around and sack him anyway?

"That seems to be the talking point, but then who replaces him? And who is going to be the captain?

"It is hardly ideal 10 months out from the World Cup, but England shouldn't be thinking about the World Cup.

"They should just be thinking about the next game, against South Africa, and then addressing things for the Six Nations.

"Josh Lewsey probably single-handedly saved England from disaster last week. The only positive thing was the impact the likes of (Phil) Vickery and Chris Jones made in the second half.

"The bench probably turned the game. But from the point of view of their general play, it was rubbish."