New Zealand v Romania:New Zealand outhalf Dan Carter has been forced to drop out of his team's final Pool C match because of a calf strain, the All Blacks said yesterday.

Versatile centre Luke McAlister will move off the bench to cover for Carter at number 10, while wing Doug Howlett steps into the replacements for today's match against Romania.

Carter felt tightness in his left calf following Thursday's training and, after consulting the All Blacks' medical team yesterday, withdrew from the team.

"He saw the training through and it's a bit tight today," coach Graham Henry said at the Stadium Toulouse. "We just wonder how bad it is. We are not 100 per cent sure yet . . . We'll see how he responds over the next two or three days and we'll have a good idea to see where he's at on Tuesday.

"Luke is an experienced first-five (outhalf) at Test level. This will add to our options at the position while we take a sensible approach to Dan's calf strain.

"Our goal through the pool round is to give game time to as many of our 30-man squad as possible. Dan has played two matches already so this has a pretty minor effect on our strategy."

Henry said Nick Evans, the team's other option at outhalf, would remain at fullback to give Mils Muliaina (hamstring) and Leon MacDonald (bruised thigh) additional time to recover.

The All Blacks have already secured their place in the quarter-finals as winners of Pool C.

NEW ZEALAND: Evans; Rokocoko, Toeava, Mauger, Sivivatu; McAlister, Ellis; Tialata, Mealamu, Somerville; Thorne, Robinson; Collins, Mascoe, Lauaki. Replacements: Hore, Woodcock, Jack, McCaw, Leonard, Howlett, Smith.

ROMANIA: Dumitras; Ciuntu, Gal, Gontineac, Brezoianu; Dimofte, Sirbu; Balan, Tincu; Florea, Socol, Petre; Corodeanu, Manta, Tonita. Replacements: Mavrodin, Ion, Ursache, Ratiu, Calafeteanu, Vlaicu, Vlad or Dascalu.

Referee: J Jutge (France)