Fly-half Mehrtens came on during the 31-28 defeat by England while full-back Cullen, New Zealand's top tryscorer with 46, was not even on the bench for last Saturday's game at Twickenham.

Mehrtens, who is now the most capped All Black players of all time, replaces Carlos Spencer (shoulder) while Cullen takes over from Ben Blair.

All Blacks coach John Mitchell made three other changes for the game in Paris.

Danny Lee replaces Steve Devine at scrum-half, Mark Robinson takes over from injured centre Keith Lowen while lock Brad Mika replaces Keith Robinson.

Utility back Paul Steinmetz, who was called into the squad as cover for Spencer and Lowen, has been named on the bench

Meanwhile, France have retained the team who beat South Africa 30-10 at the weekend as they prepare to face New Zealand at the Stade de France on Saturday.

"We have decided to keep faith in last Saturday's winners against the Springboks as we had no serious injury problems," said team manager Jo Maso.

Thomas Castaignede, who suffered a badly bruised thigh last Saturday, keeps his place at outside centre.

Fly-half Francois Gelez, who suffered a slight angle injury, and prop Pieter de Villiers, who needed five stitches to a cut eyebrow, were also named in the team.

Coach Bernard Laporte said the possibility of "a turnover in perspective of the 2003 World Cup," had been discussed.

Laporte said he had hoped to give chances to fringe players such as Xavier Garbajosa, David Bory and Gerald Merceron, but decided "it was just impossible".

"How could I tell Francois Gelez that he would be on the bench when he kicked 17 points and only missed one kick out of seven against the Springboks?" he added.

Laporte warned New Zealand would be a more difficult opponent than the Springboks.

"They will play a wider, less aggressive and more intelligent game and their side is loaded with individual talents," he said.

France: Brusque, Clerc, Castaignede, Traille, Heymans, Gelez, Galthie (captain), Harinordoquy, Magne, Betsen, Pelous, Brouzet, De Villiers, Ibanez, Crenca.
Replacements: Rue, Marconnet, Privat, Chabal, Yachvili, Merceron, Garbajosa.

New Zealand: Cullen, Howlett, Umaga, Robinson, Lomu, Mehrtens, Lee, Broomhall, Holah, Randell, Mika, Williams, Meeuws, Hore, McDonnell.
Replacements: Mealamu, Hayman, Robinson, So'oialo, Devine, Blair.