World Rugby's rules say that any games cancelled because of bad weather are registered a scoreless draws, with both sides awarded two points.

Steve Hansen's side would still top Pool B, earning a quarter-final against the second-placed team from Pool A which could be any one of Ireland, Japan or Scotland.

The All Blacks were scheduled to face Italy at 5:45pm on Saturday with England versus France taking place at 9:15pm on the same night.

Both England and France have already qualified for the quarter-finals.

The All Blacks were expected hold a media confrence at 3:30pm (NZ time), but it has since been pushed back two hours.

They were expected to name a full-strength team for their final hitout against Italy ahead of the quarter-finals.

There is also doubt hanging over the following day's crucial Japan v Scotland encounter in Yokohama - the same city where England face France - which sits directly in the typhoon's path, but no official word has been announced.

If games are cancelled it would be the first time in the 32-year history of the tournament.