All Blacks wait on Carter's fitness

New Zealand will monitor Dan Carter's fitness closely after selecting him for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against France in Cardiff. The fly-half missed the 85-8 defeat of Romania on Saturday with a calf strain and although a scan ruled out a major tear, his training has been restricted.

Only four players remain from the side that beat Romania – the centre Luke McAlister, winger Joe Rokocoko, lock Keith Robinson and flanker Jerry Collins. Robinson keeps Chris Jack on the bench.

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At home, Scott Johnson was surprised to learn he had been installed as favourite to replace Gareth Jenkins as Wales head coach. But he did not join the high-profile trio of Eddie Jones, Nick Mallett and Mike Ruddock in ruling himself out of the running.

When told of the bookmakers' odds, he said, "That it certainly a surprise to hear. No one has spoken to me. But 3-1 favourite, eh? We can have a little wager on this one!"

New Zealand, v France (Cardiff, Saturday): L MacDonald; J Rokocoko, M Muliaina, L McAlister, S Sivivatu; D Carter, B Kelleher; T Woodcock, A Oliver, C Hayman, K Robinson, A Williams, J Collins, R McCaw (capt), R So'oialo. Replacements: K Mealamu, N Tialata, C Jack, C Masoe, B Leonard, N Evans, I Toeava.