Key All Blacks, captain Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, along with Mils Muliaina and Israel Dagg all look likely to be available for the crunch Rugby World Cup Pool A match against France in Auckland on Saturday night.

Assistant coach Wayne Smith said that Kieran Read was also recovering well.

Smith felt France had not shown its true hand in the unconvincing wins over Japan and Canada, but he believed the unpredictable French would not stray from the pattern of play they had displayed all year.

Smith added that some players who had been under pressure had stepped up to the plate.

The All Blacks and France match kicks off at 8:30pm on Saturday.

Tonight at 7:30pm, Italy takes on Russia.

Meanwhile, the Fiji and Samoa game kicks off on Sunday at 2.30pm and you can catch the live commentary on our sister station, Viti FM with the voice of rugby, Malakai Veisamasama and expert comments from former Wallaby and former Fiji player and 2007 RWC coach, Ilivasi Tabua.


Story by: Selina Navuso
Source: allblacks.com