France shuffle pack, NZ unchanged
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Bru will lead a new look France against the All Blacks.
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SPECIAL REPORT
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| NEW ZEALAND SQUAD |
Lineup: 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
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| FRANCE SQUAD |
Lineup: 15-Clement Poitrenaud; 14-Pepito Elhorga, 13-Tony Marsh, 12-Damien Traille, 11-David Bory; 10-Gerald Merceron, 9-Dimitri Yachvili; 8-Christian Labit, 7- Sebastien Chabal, 6-Patrick Tabacco, 5-Thibault Privat, 4-David Auradou, 3-Jean-Baptiste Poux, 2-Yannick Bru (captain), 1-Sylvain Marconnet
Replacements: 16-Raphael Ibanez, 17-Jean-Jacques Crenca, 18-Fabien Pelous, 19-Olivier Magne, 20-Frederic Michalak, 21-Brian Liebenberg, 22-Nicolas Brusque
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SYDNEY, Australia -- New Zealand and France took different approaches to team selection for Thursday's Rugby World Cup third place playoff.
While the All Blacks will be at full strength, French coach Bernarde Laporte has made 13 changes to the side beaten by England in Sunday's semifinal.
Gerald Merceron is prefered at flyhalf to Frederic Michalak, who missed four penalties on Sunday, while hooker Yannick Bru takes over the captaincy following Fabien Galthie's retirement.
Dimitri Yachvili will replace the outgoing captain at scrumhalf.
"It's very difficult to get back after such a tough game," said Laporte on the decision to drop 21-year-old Michalak.
"Fred's there on the bench and ready to play. But in fairness to Gerald, who had a good game when he came off the bench on Sunday, it's logical to give him a run out at flyhalf."
Merceron has also announced his retirement from international rugby.
"It's a decision I took months ago and playing in the World Cup has not made me change my mind," the 30-year-old said. "I am proud of the little contribution I have made."
Four French players are unavailable due to injury.
Flanker Serge Betsen, who faces possible disciplinary action on Wednesday after being cited for a kicking incident, has a knee injury and prop Olivier Milloud has a neck strain.
Number eight Imanol Harinordoquy is suffering from a twisted wrist and winger Christophe Dominici has a twisted right knee.
Long-term future
Only two players who started against England have retained their places: prop Sylvain Marconnet and New Zealand-born center Tony Marsh, who will play his first ever match against his native country.
"This XV represents not only the team for the next match but for the medium and long-term future of French rugby," said French team, manager Jo Maso.
New Zealand coach John Mitchell opted to make just one change to the side beaten by Australia, with scrumhalf Steve Devine replacing Justin Marshall, who is still struggling with a rib injury caused by a late tackle on Saturday.
Prop Kees Meeuws, who played as a replacement against the Wallabies, dropped out of the squad with a calf muscle injury with Carl Hoeft promoted to the bench.
"This is a really important match for us as a group and it was important to stick with a proven combination," said Mitchell.
"There is something to salvage and it is important we go out on a high. This team has made some growth in 2003 and they still need development."
