RWC team news: Dan Carter was named in the New Zealand side to meet France in their World Cup quarter-final in Cardiff on Saturday but there was no place for new Munster signing Doug Howlett.
Howlett, who broke the New Zealand try-scoring record in the group match against Scotland, has been left out of the match 22 entirely.
Luke McAlister moves to inside centre to make room for Carter and is one of only four players retained from the Pool C finale against the Romanians.
Winger Joe Rokocoko, lock Keith Robinson and back Jerry Collins also survive with Richie McCaw restored at openside, resuming as skipper.
Only suspended number eight Sione Lauaki was unavailable for the last-eight showdown. Lauaki was handed a two-week ban for a dangerous tackle against Romania, also ruling the 26-year-old out of the semi-finals.
Henry said: "This was the most difficult team selection we've had, especially in the backs. It's a great situation to be in but it also makes it difficult to explain to the guys why we've made the decisions we have.
"It's our job to make hard decisions. This is the right side for this particular game."
New Zealand smashed through the 300-point barrier on the way to topping Pool C and beat each of their group rivals by a minimum of 40 points.
Victory over Les Bleus will set-up a semi-final against either Australia or England.
New Zealand (v France): L MacDonald; J Rokocoko, M Muliaina, L McAlister, S Sivivatu; D Carter, B Kelleher; T Woodcock, A Oliver, C Hayman, K Robinson, A Williams, J Collins, R McCaw (capt), R So'oialo. Replacements: K Mealamu, N Tialata, C Jack, C Masoe, B Leonard, N Evans, I Toeava.
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