Lyon:  New Zealand play France in the first of two autumn Tests here Saturday prepared for a tough forward battle against what it has dubbed the strongest team in the northern hemisphere.

 Rather ominously, that tag was also handed to France in November 2004, when the All Blacks promptly demolished the home side 45-6 in a five-try drubbing at Paris' Stade de France.

But France coach Bernard Laporte believes his current team, in which there are only five survivors of that mauling two years ago - Aurelien Rougerie, Christophe Dominici, Sylvain Marconnet, Fabien Pelous and Pieter de Villiers - is now stronger.

"I think we're stronger than at the end of November 2004," Laporte said.

"It seems to me that we're more competitive. The players have improved thanks to their work. They are more prepared. I hope that will be proved come Saturday."

Seven of New Zealand's starting pack who take the field at Stade Gerland on Saturday were present during their side's awesome display of power on that icy night in Paris that left 10 French players sidelined with injury.

France, who last beat New Zealand six years ago, have responded by recalling back-row powerhouse Elvis Vermeulen, last capped three years ago when the opposition was once again the All Blacks, in New Zealand.

Laporte has selected him alongside flankers Julien Bonnaire and Thierry Dusautoir but otherwise has mainly stayed faithful to the team that defeated South Africa 36-26 in Cape Town in June.

Ten players from that side keep their place although Laporte has also brought back experienced wingers Dominici and Rougerie, both of whom missed the South African tour through injury.

"Elvis has put in a lot of hard work to get back to top form and with only 10 months to go before the World Cup, I don't think he wants to be left out again," Laporte said.

"It will be interesting to see how he plays in this back row. We chose Bonnaire for his line-out abilities, Vermeulen for his power and Dusatoir for his defensive abilities," he said.

With a hardened squad of household names, All Blacks coach Graham Henry has had the luxury of making 10 changes from the side that last week posted a record 41-20 win over struggling reigning world champions England.

"We felt it was important to have fresh legs for this match against the strongest team in the northern hemisphere," said Henry, who nonetheless gives an extended run-out to dynamic captain Richie McCaw, playmaker Dan Carter and try-scoring machine Joe Rokocoko on the wing.

"We basically left New Zealand with the idea to try as many players as possible in the first two tests," he said.

"We chose an experienced front row (Carl Hayman and Tony Woodcock alongside hooker Anton Oliver), because we think we need it in this Test against probably the best scrum in the world,"  he said.

Henry paid tribute to the French who are favoured to meet the All Blacks in the World Cup final in Paris a year from now and he said that despite the record win over England, there was still room for improvement.

"Individually we were okay, but collectively we had a few problems," he said.

"We were pretty rusty defensively and didn't get into position quickly enough," he said.

The Kiwis' backs coach Wayne Smith said the players taking the pitch in Lyon had everything to play for.

"The idea is these 10 (new) players play, we review the game against England and this test and we mix it to make the best team for Paris. But we want to win in Lyon and in Paris," he said.