Graham Henry has announced his team to play France at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday, 6 October, with a 2000 BST KO. Fly-half Dan Carter is named in a strong line-up, following signs that he will be fit. Only five players remain from the side that beat Romania, they are: Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu, Keith Robinson and Jerry Collins. Howlett, who has scored 48 Test tries, has been kept out of the side by Sivivatu, while Leon MacDonald starts at full-back and Mils Muliaina comes in at outside centre. Robinson is preferred at lock to Chris Jack, while Anton Oliver starts at hooker, with Keven Mealamu on the bench.
Henry had the luxury of having all of the 30-man squad available for selection, with the exception of loose forward Sione Lauaki, who was banned for two matches for a dangerous tackle on Romania winger Gabriel Brezonianu.
New Zealand Team V France
Backs: MacDonald, Rokocoko, Muliaina, McAlister, Sivivatu, Carter, Kelleher.
Forwards: Woodcock, Oliver, Hayman, Robinson, Williams, Collins, McCaw (capt), So’oialo.
Replacements: Mealamu, Tialata, Jack, Masoe , Leonard, Evans, Toeava.