New Zealand's nightmare scenario became a reality last Sunday morning when All Blacks coach Graham Henry and team doctor Deb Robinson solemnly sat down before the assembled media to deliver the news that an entire nation had been dreading: Dan Carter's Rugby World Cup was over.

As soon as pictures began to emerge of the All Blacks playmaker lying in a crumpled heap after suffering a groin tear in training on the eve of their final pool game against Canada, it was clear that Carter's tournament was in jeopardy. However, while the confirmation did not come as a surprise, it did not lessen its impact.

Match Details : England vs France
20:30 local, 07:30 GMT
8 th Oct 2011 - World Cup Rugby 2011

Many neutrals are split over this weekend's Rugby World Cup quarter final clash between England and France - and it's not really over who they would like to win, but rather a case of who they want to lose more. Indeed, it would be something of an understatement to say that neither England nor France have exactly endeared themselves to the purists or the locals since arriving in New Zealand last month. And that has as much to do with their respective performances off the field as much as on it.

The table-topping Reds enter the title decider having blown the Blues away in their semi-final clash last weekend while the Crusaders crushed the Stormers in their final four showdown.

The Reds grace the season finale for the first time in the professional era - having claimed the Super 10 crown in their previous incarnation as Queensland in 1994 and 1995 - while the Crusaders are on familiar ground with nine previous final appearances and seven titles in the bank.