KEY POINTS:
The All Blacks are likely to name Daniel Carter in their starting lineup for Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against France in Cardiff after he took part in training overnight NZT.
Carter was withdrawn from the final group match against Romania last Saturday as a precaution after straining his left calf muscle in training but a scan has revealed no serious injury.
The All Blacks announce their side early Wednesday morning NZT.
"Dan jogged through training today," backs coach Wayne Smith told a news conference at the team's training base near Cardiff.
"He's pretty excited. We will see how he copes with the week. We still have a bit of time up our sleeves. We will probably name him in the team and see how he goes."
The All Blacks will take the field at the Millennium stadium without loose forward Sione Lauaki, who was banned for two weeks today for a reckless tackle in the Romania match.
"I have only just heard about it," Smith said. "I'm disappointed for Sione. It's a hard thing to go through. We have to consider our options and as to whether or not we appeal against it.
"It's going to be a difficult selection meeting, especially in my area. Individually, the backs have played very well. There have been some great performances. It's a question of getting the combinations right.
"We have some good problems in selection because we have a lot of quality to choose from. They are all ready to play and they all want to play."
All Blacks forward coach Steve Hansen told reporters earlier that fullbacks Mils Muliaina (hamstring) and Leon MacDonald (bruised thigh) were expected to be fully fit for Saturday.
"Mils is looking positive. He had a good run today. We are pretty positive about the players who have been injured," Smith said.
- REUTERS
