All Blacks jersey row not over yet

PETER MEECHAM/Fairfax Media

TWO OPTIONS: It's still not clear as to which strip the All Blacks will take to the field in for their World Cup quarterfinal clash with France.

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Tests being done in Cardiff today will determine whether the All Blacks wear their alternative silver jersey or traditional black one in Sunday's World Cup quarter final against France.

Team manager Darren Shand lost the coin toss to determine whether New Zealand or France got to wear their usual strip but the IRB has not confirmed what jerseys will be worn.

"The preference is to go with the coin toss so as it stands New Zealand will wear their alternative strip," IRB spokesman Greg Thomas said.

"But we have to be 100 per cent sure we don't have a repeat of when Scotland played New Zealand."

The All Blacks were in their alternative strip that day at Murrayfield but it clashed with Scotland's remodelled jersey which had white panelling along with the traditional blue.

Thomas said the tests done today would include televising people in the different jerseys to see if they clashed.

He would not comment on whether there was a chance the IRB could reverse the result of the coin toss and that All Blacks would wear black and France their white alternative strip.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry dismissed the issue yesterday while France skipper Raphael Ibanez said the jerseys would have no bearing on the game.

The All Blacks could wear blue, pink or nothing and they would still be hard to beat, the veteran hooker said.

Meanwhile star All Blacks first five-eighth Daniel Carter will have to survive training this week before he is confirmed to start in Sunday's test.

Carter strained his calf in Aix-en-Provence last week and pulled out of the final pool game against Romania.

He took part in only about half of yesterday's training session at the All Blacks base at the Vale of Glamorgan and will be closely monitored through out the week.

"It's just a matter of being wise," Henry said. "Training at 100 percent now, that's just going to be suicidal. It's a matter of keeping him with reins on until later in the week."

"We have Nick Evans who is ready to step in should Dan not make the game.

"But we hope Dan will be able to train fully with us on Thursday and Friday. We are building him up gradually so he is ready. I don't have any worries about him."

The All Blacks have also confirmed they will appeal No 8 Sione Lauaki's two-week suspension for a high tackle during last Saturday's 85-8 win against Romania in Toulouse.

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