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McCaw had been expected to achieve the milestone last Friday against Japan but was a late withdrawal with a calf strain.
However, he took full part in training earlier this week and was included on Thursday by coach Graham Henry in virtually a full-strength side to face France in what is expected to determine which team wins the pool.
"While there is obviously intense interest in this game because of past rugby World Cups, the focus for the team is simple," Henry said in a statement in reference to the All Blacks' two knockout stage losses to France at the 1999 and 2007 tournaments.
"We will have to match the physicality of the French, execute our key roles well and deal with anything unexpected which the French may throw at us.
"The French are a very good side and they often play their very best rugby against the All Blacks.
"They play with huge passion, lift themselves emotionally and, as always, they can never be underestimated."
Henry's decision to run out what is widely considered to be his strongest side available means that Muliaina, who is on 98 caps and was also a late withdrawal from the Japan match with a tight hamstring, looks to have lost the battle with Israel Dagg for the starting fullback's role.
The 31-year-old is leaving to play in Japan after the World Cup and it now appears, barring a Cup-ending injury to Dagg, he could end his international career stranded just short of the 100-cap milestone.
Adam Thomson has retained his place at number eight after he returned from an elbow injury last week against Japan and was then shifted to openside flanker when McCaw withdrew from the side.
Thomson is likely to be supplanted next week against Canada by Kieran Read, who has said he will return to full training next week as he recovers from the high ankle sprain he sustained against Australia in the final Tri-Nations match on August 27.
Read's absence is the only position in what would otherwise be Henry's strongest forward pack.
Piri Weepu has surprisingly won the starting role at scrumhalf after a tight battle for the position, as he had been mooted to be a possible cover for Dan Carter at flyhalf after a patchy performance by Colin Slade last week against Japan.
Teams:
New Zealand:
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Richard Kahui, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock
Substitutes: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Anthony Boric, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Sonny Bill Williams
France:
15 Damien Traille, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Aurelien Rougerie, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Maxime Medard, 10 Morgan Parra, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Julien Bonnaire, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (captain), 5 Lionel Nallet, 4 Pascal Pape, 3 Luc Ducalcon, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Jean-Baptiste Poux
Substitutes: 16 William Servat, 17 Fabien Barcella, 18 Julien Pierre, 19 Imanol Harinordoquy, 20 Francois Trinh-Duc, 21 Fabrice Estebanez, 22 Cedric Heymans
