World Cup favourites New Zealand are sweating on the fitness of Dan Carter ahead of the quarter-final clash with France at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.

Fly-half Carter missed last Saturday's Pool B 85-8 win against Romania in Toulouse with a thigh strain.

Coach Graham Henry has named Carter in his starting line-up to face the French despite not being 100-percent fit.

"Daniel trained for 50-percent of the time with the team this morning and looked fine to me," Henry explained.

"But he is not 100-percent fit at the moment. We have Nick Evans who is ready to step in should Dan not make the game.

"But we hope Dan will be able to train fully with us on Thursday and Friday. We are building him up gradually so he is ready for Saturday. I don't have any worries about him."

Henry insists his management team faced the biggest selection poser of his All Black reign when he selected his side to face the French, who beat New Zealand in an epic semi-final at Twickenham in the 1999 edition.

Keith Robinson, who has only played 55 minutes in the World Cup to date, gets the nod to partner Ali Williams in the second row ahead of lock Chris Jack while record All Black try-scorer Doug Howlett does not make the 22.

Howlett, who has scored 48 tries in his international career, has been replaced by Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Henry said: "This has been the most difficult selection of our time in charge especially in the backs and the locks. Every player in the 30-man squad has put their hand up.

"We have three great locks but we felt that if we did not select Keith now then he would not play any further part in the World Cup. He is here to play and has fantastic presence on the field for us.

"We feel he is better starting the game than bringing him off the bench. We had extreme competition in the back line.

"Any one of our 14 backs could have been selected for this match. It's great for us that everyone is giving everything they have both in the pool stages and in training."

Henry had every member of his 30-man squad available for selection with the exception of the suspended Sione Lauaki who was in contention for a place in the matchday 22 before he received a two-match ban on Monday.

But Henry insists his men are ready for the match at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

"We are excited to play France. Sudden death rugby has its own tensions and that's the reality all eight teams face this weekend," said Henry.

"But we're looking forward to it and will enjoy going back to the Millennium Stadium where we have played in each of the last three years.

"France probably weren't expecting to be playing in this quarter-final so they may be extra tension in this match.

"As a team we have really enjoyed the big occasions over the last few years and we've enjoyed a good and thorough preparation for this match."

Whoever wins Saturday's match will qualify for the semi-finals to face either Australia or defending champions England for a place in the final.

Earlier Tuesday, France scored an early psychological blow when they won the right to wear their blue shirts in the match with New Zealand having to don their grey second strip.

The All Blacks have already worn their alternative strip in the World Cup in the pool match against Scotland on September 23.

Although they won the game 40-0, there were complaints of a colour clash with the Scots who donned their redesigned home kit, a mostly navy shirt with grey piping, along with dark navy shorts and navy and grey socks.


New Zealand team to play France (Saturday, 1900GMT)
15-1
Leon MacDonald; Joe Rokocoko, Mils Muliaina, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Dan Carter, Byron Kelleher; Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerry Collins; Ali Williams, Keith Robinson; Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver, Tony Woodcock
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Chris Jack, Chris Masoe, Brendon Leonard, Nick Evans, Isaia Toeava


AFP

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