Quarter-finals News round-up:New Zealand are likely to name outhalf Daniel Carter in their starting line-up for Saturday's quarter-final against France in Cardiff after he took part in training yesterday.
Carter was withdrawn from the final group match against Romania last Saturday as a precaution after straining his left calf muscle in training but a scan has revealed no serious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 this afternoon.
"Dan jogged through training today," backs coach Wayne Smith said at the team's training base near Cardiff yesterday.
"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 was banned for two weeks on Monday 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."
All Blacks forward coach Steve Hansen said 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.
France scrumhalf Pierre Mignoni was ruled out of Saturday's game after tearing a thigh muscle in the defeat of Georgia on Sunday.
"He will have to rest for 10 days," team doctor Thierry Hermerel said yesterday. "He's staying with us for treatment and will undergo more tests next Monday."
Mignoni's absence means Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, who came on for Mignoni on Sunday, is likely to start against the All Blacks.
Meanwhile, captain John Smit admits the tournament-ending injury sustained by prop BJ Botha will impact on South Africa's hopes of winning the World Cup.
Botha has been ruled out of the remainder of the competition after damaging knee ligaments in the first half of Sunday's 64-15 win over the United States. He has been replaced by Jannie Du Plessis, who will link up with the Springboks tomorrow or Thursday.
Botha is first choice for the Boks - he started in the 36-0 win over England - and Smit admits his fellow frontrower will be missed.
"We'll be hard-pressed to replace him with someone who can work as hard," said the skipper. "Anyone who has seen him play sees the disruption he causes in the scrum and he makes lots of tackles a game.
"We're lucky enough we've got CJ (van der Linde), who's been alternating with him over the last couple of weeks. So in terms of the starting line-up, I think we'll be all right."
The Springboks also received a scare when winger Bryan Habana was forced off following a clash of heads with the Eagles wideman Takudzwa Ngwenya. He received stitches and will be available for Sunday's quarter-final against Fiji.
"Everything's fine," said Habana, whose two tries against the US took take his tournament tally to six.
