All Blacks risk Carter and McCaw

Back for more: Richie McCaw and Dan Carter

Despite having already secured top spot in Pool A, New Zealand have selected Dan Carter and Richie McCaw in their starting line-up for Sunday’s clash with Canada in Wellington.

The starting XV features the return of Mils Muliaina at full-back in his 99th Test.

Israel Dagg moves to the right wing, Sonny Bill Williams comes in at inside centre for his fifth Test start, while scrum-half Jimmy Cowan gets the starts his 50th Test match.

In the forwards, Kieran Read returns to the starting XV for his first start in the Rugby World Cup after recovering from his ankle sprain; Andrew Hore has been named at hooker with Ali Williams at lock.

“We are looking to improve each week during the Rugby World Cup, with an increase in intensity and execution, and we will be looking to do that again this week,” said All Blacks Coach Graham Henry.

“Having said that, the Canadians have shown in this Rugby World Cup just what they are capable of, including a good win over Tonga and the hard-fought draw against Japan, so we are expecting a passionate contest.”

As well as the 50-Test milestone for Cowan, Henry and his assistant coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith will celebrate their 100th All Blacks Test together as a coaching trio.

Meanwhile, Daniel Carter will play his 85th Test, Tony Woodcock his 80th and Ali Williams his 70th.

The All Blacks have played Canada four times, including twice at Rugby World Cup: in 1991 in the Quarterfinal and in 2003 in Pool Play.

New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Brad Thorn, 19 Anthony Boric, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Isaia Toeava.

Date: Sunday, October 1
Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium
Kick-off: 15. 30 (02.30 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite (France)