Richie McCaw’s return was inevitable and he is accompanied in returning to the All Black starting line-up by fellow forwards Wyatt Crockett, who replaces the injured and now retired from Test rugby Tony Woodcock and Brodie Rettallick, as well as free-scoring winger Julian Savea.

“It's about getting the right 23, but by and large, a lot of the guys pick themselves,” said Steve Hansen, their head coach.

The All Black coach had a Basil Fawlty ‘don’t mention the war’ moment yesterday when he recalled an incident that caused major tension between the two countries, but his respect for quarter-finalist opponents France is clear.

"There has been a great relationship between the two countries for a long, long time and apart from the Rainbow Warrior, we've probably been on the same page most of the time,” he said.

"From a rugby point of view we have similar athletes. France have always had great athletes. Their game was built around flair in the backs and real physicality up front. I'm not sure it's the same flair they have now."

That was a reference to the infamous sinking of the Greenpeace ship by French intelligence agents in Auckland Harbour 30 years ago, but this time around it is a French street-fighter who has been recruited to cause the Kiwis problems with Philippe Saint-Andre recalling combative scrum-half Morgan Parra.

“He is a competitor. We are well aware of the leadership he brings to the pack and he has this ability to stick to the ball,” said France’s head coach who has also recalled Bernard Le Roux to his back-row and Alexandre Dumoulin at centre.

There are also personnel three changes to the Wales side which, like France, lost a pool decider last weekend as British & Irish Lions forwards Dan Lydiate and Gethin Jenkins return to the back and front rows respectively, while George North returns to the wing to accommodate Tyler Morgan’s inclusion at centre for their meeting with the Springboks.