All Blacks: Selectors reward in-form Dagg

Israel Dagg scored the first try of the Rugby World Cup, and will take his place in the All Blacks' starting XV on Saturday night. Photo / Dean Purcell

All Blacks selectors have made four changes to the New Zealand team which beat Japan 83-7, to take on France in their Rugby World Cup pool match Eden Park on Saturday night.

Captain Richie McCaw returns to the side, having missed last week's match because of a minor calf strain, to play his 100th test and Dan Carter returns at No. 10 after suffering from back strain.

Selectors plumped for form in picking fullback Israel Dagg over 98-cap veteran Mils Muliaina.

Dagg, after months out rehabbing a torn thigh muscle, sneaked into the World Cup squad at the last minute thanks to a sterling effort in the Tri-Nations loss to South Africa. He was irresistible against Tonga, and Henry said it was difficult to tell the off-form Muliaina he wasn't picked for France. The pair have known each other since Muliaina played in the same Auckland secondary school while Henry was the principal.

Muliaina had a last chance to put on a show against Japan, but had to withdraw from the team when he tweaked his hamstring in practice.

"The selection is on form at this particular moment," Henry said. "It's difficult for Mils, he's been a high quality player for a long time for the All Blacks. There was a lot of emotion involved in this decision. But at the end of the day you've got to go with your best team and we've gone with Israel."

Weepu won the halfback battle from Jimmy Cowan, who started against Tonga, and Andy Ellis, the starter against Japan. Ellis was in the reserves. Weepu brought up his 50th cap off the bench against Tonga.

"He's prepared very well," Henry said. "He's a different beast than he was a few months ago."

Sam Whitelock will partner Brad Thorn at lock ahead of the far more experienced Ali Williams, who was in the reserves with another lock, Anthony Boric. Boric was picked ahead of natural loose forward Vito.

In the backline, Richard Kahui, who came into the World Cup as a utility, has excelled with two tries each in two games on different wings to secure the No. 11 jersey, and Sonny Bill Williams, another back who didn't look like seeing much game time before the tournament but has nailed his chances, was in the reserves to cover the midfield and three-quarters.

The match will be the 50th between the teams, and their first at the World Cup since France shocked the All Blacks 20-18 in the 2007 quarterfinals. The French also knocked out New Zealand in 1999.

McCaw, Carter and loosehead prop Tony Woodcock started in the 2007 quarterfinal, while reserve forwards Andrew Hore and Williams also played in that match in Cardiff.

Andy Ellis, who was benched to make way for Weepu, was there. This week he told reporters he wanted "another crack" at the French.

"Here we are four years on, and we are playing France.''

Starting XV:

1. Tony Woodcock (78 test caps)
2. Keven Mealamu (87)
3. Owen Franks (26)
4. Brad Thorn (54)
5. Sam Whitelock (20)
6. Jerome Kaino (43)
7. Richie McCaw - captain (99)
8. Adam Thomson (23)
9. Piri Weepu (51)
10. Daniel Carter (84)
11. Richard Kahui (14)
12. Ma'a Nonu (62)
13. Conrad Smith (50)
14. Cory Jane (28)
15. Israel Dagg (8)

Reserves:

16. Andrew Hore (57)
17. Ben Franks (12)
18. Ali Williams (68)
19. Anthony Boric (22)
20. Andy Ellis (22)
21. Colin Slade (7)
22. Sonny Bill Williams (9)

- NZHERALD ONLINE, AP