All Blacks forwards

Anton Oliver. File picture / Dean Purcell

Rodney So'oialo (Wellington)
No 8, 25, 1.90m, 105kg, 9 tests
Made his debut against Wales in 2002 but it was not until late last year that he made himself the front-runner at No 8. Turned in fine performances against Wales and France. Should start the first test.

Mose Tuiali'i (Canterbury)
No 8, 24, 1.95m, 108kg, 5 tests
Surprise pick last year after being drafted into the Crusaders for the Super 12. Made debut against Argentina and went on end-of-year tour. Rated as a talented ball-playing loose forward.

Richie McCaw (Canterbury)
Flanker, 24, 1.88m, 105kg, 26 tests
Rated the world's best openside flanker, McCaw made hisAll Blacks debut in 2001 before he had played in the Super 12. Fast around the park, expert at the breakdown and an outstanding defender.

Jerry Collins (Wellington)
Flanker, 24, 1.91m, 108kg, 20 tests
Rugged blindside or No 8 who made his debut against Argentina in 2001. Devastating tackler, who hits too high at times. Strong runner with ball in hand. Likely first-choice No 6 for the opening test.

Chris Jack (Canterbury)
Lock, 26, 2.02m, 115kg, 36 tests
The country's premier lock. A test certainty. Commanding figure at the lineout, athletic and mobile around the park. Debuted against Argentina in 2001. Will be a key figure in the pack in the test series.

Ali Williams (Auckland)
Lock, 24, 2.02m, 106kg, 20 tests
Tall middle lineout jumper. Debut against England in 2002. Athletic with good ball-handling skills, Williams served a six-game ban for stamping during the Super 12. Can be erratic, but at his best a fine player.

James Ryan (Otago)
Flanker, 22, 2.0m, 114kg, 0 tests
Uncapped but made a strong impression for the Highlanders in the Super 12. Hard worker, but the Lions would be a big step up.

Jono Gibbes (Waikato)
Flanker, 28, 1.94m, 112kg, 7 tests
Made test debut against England last year and regular squad member until a knee injury cut short his end-of-year European tour. Excellent lineout jumper. Can play blindside or lock.

Carl Hayman (Otago)
Prop, 25, 1.93m, 115kg, 17 tests
Set to be first-choice tighthead prop after a strong Super 12 with the Highlanders. Became the 1000th All Black when he debuted against Samoa in 2001. Big for a prop and not afraid to get his hands dirty.

Greg Somerville (Canterbury)
Prop,27, 1.87m, 115kg, 41 tests
Durable campaigner who can play either side of the scrum. Debuted againstTonga in 2000, went to the World Cup in 2003 and will be close to starting line-up. Rugged, mobile player.

Tony Woodcock (North Harbour)
Prop, 24, 1.84m, 118kg, 6 tests
Debuted against Wales in 2002. Worked his way through the national age-group teams and one of a select band to play for the New Zealand under-21 team and the All Blacks in the same year.

Anton Oliver (Otago)
Hooker, 29, 1.85m, 115kg, 43 tests
Gnarled veteran who found a new lease of life last year. Has had a good Super 12 leading the Highlanders and should be first-choice No 2 for the opening test. Enjoying an Indian summer.

Keven Mealamu (Auckland)
Hooker, 26, 1.81m, 106kg, 22 tests
Mobile and robust, Mealamu made his debut against Wales in 2002. Good lineout thrower and makes up what he lacks in size with high workrate.

Sione Lauaki (Waikato)
Flanker, 24, 1.94m, 115kg, 1 test
Played for the Pacific Islanders before making his All Blacks debut against Fiji this month. Plays for Waikato in the NPC.

Campbell Johnstone (Canterbury)
Prop, 25, 1.83, 110kg, 1 test
Plays for the Crusaders and Canterbury. Made his debut for the All Blacks against Fiji this month.

Derren Witcombe (Auckland)
Hooker, 26, 1.85m, 108kg, 1 test
Plays for the Blues in the Super 12. Made his debut for the All Blacks against Fiji this month.