NZ's Carter back to face France

New Zealand v France
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday, 6 October
Kick-off: 2000 BST
Live on BBC Radio 5live and the BBC Sport website

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has ushered fit-again fly-half Dan Carter into the side for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final with France in Cardiff.

Carter resumed training on Monday after withdrawing from the pool match against Romania because of a calf strain.

Leon MacDonald starts at full-back, with Mils Muliaina moved from his usual role in the number 15 shirt to outside centre, alongside Luke McAlister.

New Zealand's record try-scorer Doug Howlett is left out of the 22.

Keith Robinson is preferred at lock to Chris Jack, while Anton Oliver starts at hooker, with Keven Mealamu on the bench.

Henry had 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.

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

"France probably weren't expected to be in this quarter-final so there may be some extra tension in this match particularly.

"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."

New Zealand: MacDonald, Rokocoko, Muliaina, McAlister, Sivivatu, Carter, Kelleher; Woodcock, Oliver, Hayman, Robinson, Williams, Collins, McCaw (capt), So'oialo.
Replacements: Mealamu, Tialata, Jack, Masoe , Leonard, Evans, Toeava.

Source: BBC Sport