KEY POINTS:
PARIS - After three years of phoney war and a month of pool play in which they barely broke a sweat, the All Blacks get down to the business end of the World Cup at 8am on Sunday.
The All Blacks are set for their meeting with France in Cardiff with reports of thousands of Kiwi fans arriving in the Welsh capital.
The weather in Cardiff has been fine with hopes of clear conditions for kickoff, though it matters little as the Millenium Stadium's roof will be shut.
Hardly anyone has given the French a chance against the tournament favourites, who have won their last seven tests against Bernard Laporte's side.
But All Blacks tighthead prop Carl Hayman says history means nothing. He says anything can happen in one-off games and past results count for very little when it comes to knock-out results.
New Zealand breezed through the pool stage with four one-sided victories and are eager to underline their status as tournament favourites against France.
First five-eighths Dan Carter, who missed the All Blacks's final group match against Romania last weekend, has shaken off a calf muscle injury and came through a light training session on Friday.
France, who have regained their poise since losing the tournament opener to Argentina, gamble on Lionel Beauxis at first five-eighths and Damien Traille at fullback.
Coach Bernard Laporte is ready to bury his side's natural flair and opt for possession and territorial advantage to try and combat the All Blacks's attacking threat.
The French believe they can cope with the power of the All Blacks scrum.
Under Mike Cron's guidance, the All Blacks have developed the strongest scrum in world rugby and French captain Rafael Ibanez says it is an area his side has to front up in.
Ibanez says it is question of power and they know the All Blacks have a really strong pack.
A few hours before the All Blacks kickoff, defending champions England will face old rivals Australia at 2am.
Australia are determined to avenge their 2003 final defeat by England in what should be a classic encounter at the Velodrome stadium. Each team will run out with five survivors from their starting line-up of four years ago.
The Wallabies have captain Stirling Mortlock back after he partially dislocated his shoulder earlier in the tournament, while Berrick Barnes continues at first five-eighths in place of the injured Stephen Larkham.
Jason Robinson returns at fullback for England who have been forced into another backline reshuffle after Andy Farrell suffered a calf injury.
Mike Catt, who has not featured in the match 22 for the last two games since being dropped after playing first five-eighths in the 36-0 defeat by South Africa, starts at inside centre.
England first five-eighths Jonny Wilkinson needs six points to overhaul Scotland's Gavin Hastings as the World Cup's all-time leading points scorer.
- REUTERS, NEWSTALK ZB
