New Zealand coach John Mitchell signalled his intentions of finishing the World Cup on a positive note by naming his strongest possible line-up for the third and fourth playoff with France in Sydney this Thursday.
Mitchell made only one change to the starting XV who lost to champions Australia 22-10 in the semi-final last Saturday with Auckland scrumhalf Steve Devine replacing Justin Marshall, who suffered a rib injury in a late tackle by flanker George Smith and was replaced after halftime.
Prop Kees Meeuws, who started on the bench against Australia, was not considered because of a calf muscle injury he sustained after he came on as a replacement and his place was taken among the substitutes by Otago loosehead prop Carl Hoeft.
"This is a really important match for us as a group and it was important to stick with a proven combination and there is (a factor of) some accountability with the team," said Mitchell at a news conference today.
"There is something to salvage and it is important that we finish the season on a high. This team has made some growth in 2003 and they still need development. We believe in these guys and the accountability and ownership is now back with them."
Mitchell said the failure of the All Blacks to win the World Cup showed how the gap between the top sides in the world had diminished. "This is not an easy tournament to win. There are five sides with very little between them," said Mitchell.
New Zealand- 15-Mils Muliaina; 14-Doug Howlett, 13-Leon MacDonald, 12-Aaron Mauger, 11-Joe Rokocoko; 10-Carlos Spencer, 9-Steve Devine; 8-Jerry Collins, 7-Richie McCaw, 6-Reuben Thorne (captain), 5-Ali Williams, 4-Chris Jack, 3-Greg Somerville, 2-Keven Mealamu, 1-Dave Hewett.
Replacements:16-Mark Hammett, 17-Carl Hoeft, 18-Brad Thorn, 19-Marty Holah, 20-Byron Kelleher, 21-Daniel Carter, 22-Caleb Ralph.