Dan Carter has paid tribute to form of Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett © Getty Images

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The gaping disparity in form between New Zealand and France hasn't stopped the tourists from suffering a bout of nerves in the lead-up to the Dave Gallaher Trophy Test at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.

New Zealand have a compelling reason for confidence ahead of the first Test of their European tour: the Rugby World Cup 2011 champions are fielding the most experienced team in Test rugby history, averaging 57 caps per player; and they are unbeaten in 2013, with 10 of their 11 wins secured by double-point margins.

France, meanwhile, have won just one of eight Tests in 2013, a narrow home victory over Scotland, with one draw against Ireland in Dublin. They secured the wooden spoon in the Six Nations, and New Zealand swept them 3-0 in June.

"If it was any other team in the world, you'd probably say it would [lack confidence], Steve Hansen said. "The beautiful thing about the French people is that they've got a term that says c'est la vie [that's life]. They don't live in the past. They live for today, and they know they can play rugby. They've just got to get the recipe right on the day."

France have beaten New Zealand when least expected in recent years, which has Hansen on edge.

There are also a number of All Blacks with reasons to be nervous, mostly in the backline.

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Wing Cory Jane returns from injury to play his first Test in nearly a year, having lodged just 120 minutes of ITM Cup rugby this year after rupturing a knee.

Former wing Ben Smith admits he faces an enormous challenge from French midfielders Florian Fritz and Wesley Fofana as he continues to come to grips with centre.

And Dan Carter is surprisingly apprehensive as he prepares for just his sixth Test of an injury-disrupted year.

Carter, 31, says he doesn't want to put a spoke in the wheel of the All Blacks juggernaut, particularly with Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett having stood in for him so seamlessly.

"Whenever you're lacking game time and you've had a few injuries like I have, it's not wanting to let the team down," Carter said.

"They've built some awesome momentum throughout the year and I've been part of it in stages, but not a lot. It hasn't been the year that I wanted but I've got an opportunity to finish the year well. That's what's driving me on this tour."

Follow live text commentary of the Test between France and New Zealand on Saturday, November 9 from 8pm (GMT) 9am (Sunday, November 10 NZDT), 7am (Sunday, November 10 AEDT)