Captain Richie McCaw and Dan Carter have recovered from minor injuries and will return to the All Blacks side to play France in their Rugby World Cup Pool A match on Saturday.
McCaw will become the first All Blacks player to earn 100 test caps on Saturday.
He had been expected to achieve that milestone last Friday against Japan but was a late withdrawal with a calf strain.
However, he took a full part in training earlier this week and was included on Thursday by coach Graham Henry in virtually a full-strength side to face France in what is expected to determine which team wins the pool.
In two other changes to the team which beat Japan last week, Israel Dagg was named at fullback after recovering from injury and Piri Weepu will start at halfback with Andy Ellis on the bench.
Mils Muliaina, who is on 98 caps and was also a late withdrawal from the Japan match with a tight hamstring, looks to have lost the battle with Dagg for the starting fullback's role.
The 31-year-old is leaving to play in Japan after the World Cup.
Henry says while there is intense interest in the game because of past Rugby World Cups, the focus for the team is simple in that they will have to match the physicality of the French.
Henry says the French often play their very best rugby against the All Blacks and they can never be underestimated.
Teams
All Blacks starting XV: Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Daniel Carter, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Cory Jane, Israel Dagg
Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Sonny Bill Williams.
France starting XV: Jean-Baptiste Poux, Dimitri Szarzewski, Luc Ducalcon, Pascal Pape, Lionel Nallet, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Julien Bonnaire, Louis Picamoles, Dimitri Yachvili, Morgan Parra, Maxime Medard, Maxime Mermoz, Aurelien Rougerie, Vincent Clerc, Damien Traille.
Reserves: William Servat, Fabien Barcella, Julien Pierre, Imanol Harinordoquy, Francois Trinh-Duc, Fabrice Estebanez, Cedric Heymans.
