Marshall fears for star pair

Justin Marshall, New Zealand's second most capped player, who partnered Carter during the rout of the Lions before joining Leeds two years ago, believes Wilkinson has still to clear a 'mental hurdle' and that his Kiwi opposite number has been a victim of head coach Graham Henry's selection policy.

The respective superstars will be of crucial importance in England's defence of the title and New Zealand's attempt to regain it after 20 years.

'Jonny is the most important cog in the England team,' said Marshall after starting another season with the ambitious Swansea-based Ospreys. 'He is an excellent rugby player for whom I have the utmost respect, but he seems to be reluctant to take the ball to the gain line. All his injuries have been caused by impact and it's almost as if he is thinking of the outcome.

'Mentally, he has to overcome that but how can you do that when you've had such a horrendous run of injuries? He has certainly never been gun-shy but it's as if, subconsciously, he's thinking at the back of his mind: "What if I take the ball into contact? What's going to happen to me?"

'England have problems in the centre as it is and against France the other week they had a fly-half running across rather than taking it to the line. All he is doing is stuttering sideways and increasing pressure instead of straightening the line.'

Marshall, outstanding at the last World Cup before George Smith's late tackle cracked two of his ribs during the semi- final when Australia spared England the worry of facing the All Blacks in the final, is also concerned about Carter and that Henry's policy of an ever- changing squad could undermine their prospects of winning the tournament.

'I believe the All Blacks will win the World Cup but I am not as sure as I was six months ago. When they were here last November, they were clearly 25 points better than anyone. Since then they have stuttered a bit.

'I blame the rotational selection policy and what we've seen in recent matches indicates that the effects have caught up with them. They have the skills, the players and the game- plan, but they haven't got the fluency they should have. None of the players know where they stand because the coach doesn't pick the same team two matches running.

'Dan is affected by all the constant changes of personnel outside him. He has looked unsure and people have started to question his form.

'Without Dan Carter, New Zealand cannot win the World Cup. He is more important to the All Blacks than Richie McCaw.'

Marshall dismisses all four home countries from the semi- final equation. 'From my perspective, England have not recovered from the last World Cup,' he said. 'They've changed coaches and a lot of players, but they haven't changed their game. They haven't moved forward.'