KEY POINTS:
The All Blacks have resisted calls to play their top side against Romania although they have approved some extra matchplay for star players Jerry Collins and Daniel Carter.
Medical mishap Keith Robinson has been picked for the test in Toulouse, there is a first World Cup game at centre for Isaia Toeava and a first start in an international for halfback Andrew Ellis.
The All Blacks selectors have bypassed both fullbacks Mils Muliaina and Leon MacDonald who are still recovering from leg injuries but should have excellent cover again from Nick Evans after he filled in last week.
The need to use Evans at fullback means Carter's plea to have more rugby has been catered for, while blindside flanker Collins will captain the side for the second time in the tournament.
Sitiveni Sivivatu has been given a chance to repair his confidence and atone for his handling lapses against Scotland with a repeat start. After appearing a certain pick he is now competing with Joe Rokocoko to be the quarter-final wing companion for Doug Howlett.
Coach Graham Henry has persevered with his plan to give his alternate squad another hit out, rather than offer the rest a dress-rehearsal for their likely quarter-final against France in Cardiff.
He has though included five senior players on the bench and they are likely to see the last 30 minutes against Romania as a sharpening exercise for Cardiff..
Before and after the stuttering test against Scotland, Henry spoke about his intention to give everyone in the 30-strong squad a chance to compete for the playoffs.
He has not deviated from that strategy.
It will provoke all sorts of talk from those who feel the All Blacks are using a risky policy in playing their "big guns" once a fortnight to those who believe there has been a change in thinking about which players are the best.
"One of our major goals is to go into the quarter-finals with all 30 players ready for action," Henry said.
"We want every player to have had game time and also to be fresh for the knock out rounds. It's a balancing act and that's been a big part of our thinking around selections for this match.
"We expect the team we've picked to raise our standards again in this match. That's been our goal in every pool game," said Henry.
The All Blacks have snapped back into preparation after two days leave with friends, families and partners in the south of France. Robinson stayed behind at the base in Aix-en-Provence to continue his recovery from another calf strain which looked as though it would eliminate him from the World Cup.
Henry was unconcerned about the slim buildup to the All Blacks final pool game against Romania who scored their first tournament win against Portugal this week, a 14-10 win in Toulouse.
"We have been playing a similar game plan through the qualifying games so the players have been working on that game plan for the last three weeks.
"So it's not as if they'll go in underdone. They'll know what to do."
All Blacks V Romania
Toulouse, 11pm tomorrow
15. Nick Evans
14. Joe Rokocoko
13. Isaia Toeava
12. Aaron Mauger
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
10. Daniel Carter
9. Andrew Ellis
8. Sione Lauaki
7. Chris Masoe
6. Jerry Collins (c)
5. Keith Robinson
4. Reuben Thorne
3. Greg Somerville
2. Keven Mealamu
1. Neemia Tialata
Reserves: Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock, Chris Jack, Richie McCaw, Brendon Leonard, Luke McAlister, Conrad Smith
