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RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011: All Blacks out to confront the armada XV de France

REUTERS - If there were doubts over the will of the All Blacks to play back the first 'crunch' of the Rugby World Cup on Saturday against France, Graham Henry has lifted on Wednesday at the announcement of his selection .

Captain Richie McCaw will be right there to collect his 100th cap, a record for a player from New Zealand.Fly-half Daniel Carter, at odds with his back, will also start the match.

"This game obviously causes an intense interest because of previous World Cups," said All Blacks coach in reference to the defeat against France in the semifinals in 1999 and quarterfinals in 2007.

"Our goal is simple, compete with the physical power of the French, well into our roles and deal with all that the French will oppose unexpected," he added.

"The French have a very good team and they really play their very best rugby against the All Blacks.They play with passion, they go above and beyond the emotion and, as always, we must not underestimate them. "

In what looks like the team guy he is preparing for years to clear the snub of 2007, Graham Henry tenure scrum-half Piri Weepu and his pair of centers 1, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith at the expense of Sonny Bill Williams.

Adam Thomson will be the focus of the third line.Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn to form a cut of five to scrap with the French pack.

The main disappointment is probably the back Mils Muliaina that Graham Henry has chosen Israel as Dragge sensed many observers.

Muliaina, who is a veteran at 31 and go to Japan after the World Cup, has 98 caps but the meter may stop there because it will not even be on the bench.

Team Composition:

15-Israel Dagg, 14-Cory Jane, 13-Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, 12, 11-Richard Kahui, 10-Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu, 9, 8-Adam Thomson, 7-Richie McCaw (captain), 6-Jerome Kaino, 5-Sam Whitelock, 4-Brad Thorn, 3-Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, 2, 1-Tony Woodcock

Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17-Ben Franks, 18-Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, 19, 20-Andy Ellis, 21-Colin Slade, 22-Sonny Bill Williams.