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Subscribe to RSS FeedMealamu out, Hore in
Try Time: Hore scores against Romania
New Zealand hooker Keven Mealamu has pulled out of tSaturday's quarter-final with hosts France at the Millennium Stadium in Wales after failing a fitness test.
Mealamu, named on the bench for the Cardiff showdown, suffered a strain to a hamstring during a Thursday training session with the All Blacks.
When a fitness test was undertaken on Saturday morning in Cardiff, the Auckland Blues star felt some discomfort.
As a result, Andrew Hore has taken his place amongst the replacements.
Should the All Blacks qualify for the semi-finals by beating France, Mealamu's availability for selection will be re-assessed on Monday.
Meanwhile, the great jersey stand-off has also been resolved.
The All Blacks will play in their alternate strip of silver and black while the French will wear blue jerseys with white shorts and socks.
The French originally won the toss to determine that they would play in their favoured strip but the International Rugby Board (IRB) stepped in to check whether that would promote a repeat of the farcical situation that occurred in New Zealand's group match against Scotland in Edinburgh, where the clash of strips meant it was difficult to tell who was who.
As a result, the French have been required to wear white shorts instead of their new blue offerings.
"The first priority is to have a clear distinction between the two teams and we're glad there'll be no confusion on the pitch," said All Blacks manager Darren Shand.
"We are comfortable wearing the alternate jersey. It has the fern on the chest and silver and black are our colours."
New Zealand (revised): 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Mils Muliaina, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Keith Robinson, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Anton Oliver, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Chris Masoe, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Nick Evans, 22 Isaia Toeava.
