Rugby: Commanding All Blacks to 'Plan B' Australia - top teams rated at Rugby World Cup

New Zealand produced a commanding performance against South Africa that sent a message to all pretenders to their crown that the men in black are not to be messed with.

Alongside their counter-attacking skills, the All Blacks also showcased a solid defence which not even the fleet-footed Cheslin Kolbe could penetrate as he found himself cut down by All Blacks fly-half Richie Mo'unga.The most impressive feature of Ireland's 27-3 destruction of an insecure Scotland was not celebrated halves Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray, but the ruthless efficiency of a forward pack that dominated the set piece.

Scotland were out of the game inside 25 minutes when the Ireland forwards drove over for three tries, raising the prospect of a salivating quarter-final against expected opponents South Africa.The Springboks gave a decent account of themselves in their defeat by New Zealand and their solid pack - built around hard-hitting lock Eben Etzebeth and barnstorming No 8 Duane Vermeulen - will pose problems for any team in the tournament.

Toulouse winger Kolbe's livewire presence around the pitch will doubtless bring more reward against teams not as well organised defensively as the defending champions, who they could meet again if they reach the final.The Six Nations champions opened their account as they should have, with an ultimately emphatic 43-14 victory over Georgia, a team that has never beaten a top nation.

The introduction of half-backs Will Genia and Matt Toomua off the bench for the misfiring Nic White and Christian Lealiifano helped the 2015 losing finalists make the most of their setpiece dominance at scrum and line-out which eventually told in the final quarter. There were some promising signs in the way fullback Elliot Daly launched effective counter-attacks from deep, with scrum-half Ben Youngs's accurate kicking game setting up play for the chasers.

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