Rugby World Cup: All Blacks captain Sam Cane ruled out of match ...

All Blacks captain Sam Cane has been ruled out of the World Cup opener against France because of a back injury.

No 8 Ardie Savea will take over the reins as skipper for the match in Paris on Saturday morning.

The omission of openside flanker Cane means Dalton Papali'i will shift from blindside flanker to the other side of the scrum.

Tupou Vaa'i has been promoted from the bench to start at No 6.

Lock Brodie Retallick, who originally wasn't listed in the match-day 23 because of a knee injury, has been listed in the reserves.

Sky TV reported Cane was forced to withdraw because of back spasms.

The decision to withdraw Cane means the All Blacks will be without another first-string player for this crucial match at Stade de France.

This is a major blow even before a ball had been kicked in anger.

Cane’s absence adds to a series of defections that have left coach Ian Foster well short of his top lineup, with regular No 12 Jordie Barrett ruled out earlier in the week with a knee strain, and starting tighthead Tyrel Lomax (cut knee) and blindside flanker Shannon Frizell (hamstring) also recovering from injuries.

The bombshell announcement about Cane came less than 60 minutes before kick-off.

There was no word about it at Thursday's pre-match media conference with All Blacks coach Ian Foster.

Fans arriving at the ground for the lavish opening ceremony were unaware of the withdrawal of the All Blacks No 7 until it was announced by the team’s management to media.

It's not known whether the reconfigured pack had any training time together during the week.