New Zealand All Blacks captain Kieran Read's skills are a real asset to the team, says Graham Henry. Photo / Greg Bowker
The former New Zealand coach who won the 2011 World Cup and also led the Lions on their 2001 tour of Australia rates the 33 players named to take on the tourists.
Kieran Read (31)
Position: Backrower
Caps: 97 Tries: 21
Has done a remarkable job taking this team to another level, even
though six All Blacks legends retired after the 2015 World Cup. A fabulous lineout player and gets more ball than anyone else. His skills round the track, quick and good handling, are a real asset. Could well go on to be the most-capped player of all time.
Ben Smith (31)
Position: Fullback
Caps: 60 Tries: 27
The No 1 fullback in the world, totally reliable in all he does. Has outstanding ability both in attack and defence and is excellent under the high ball. He has no weaknesses and is equally effective on the right wing.
Jordie Barrett (20)
Position: Fullback
Uncapped
Was seen by many as a future cricketer for New Zealand, but chose rugby. Played in the midfield for the under-20s last year and is a high percentage goal-kicker. Has utility value, plenty of skills and great composure for a young guy.
Israel Dagg (29)
Position: Right wing
Caps: 61 Tries: 24
Like Ben Smith, equally at home at fullback or wing. Quick, with a great step and booming punt. Back in the mix after missing the 2015 World Cup through injury and played outstanding rugby for the All Blacks in 2016.
Julian Savea (26)
Position: Left wing
Caps: 52 Tries: 47
Will surely surpass Doug Howlett's All Black try scoring record of 49. Nicknamed The Bus, Savea is the Jonah Lomu of the current All Black team because he is massive, powerful and quick, with a huge appetite for scoring tries.
Waisake Naholo (26)
Position: Wing
Caps: 12 Tries: 6
An explosive player who can score tries out of nothing. He is big and quick but has been in and out of the team through injury so hasn't managed to cement a place. He needs to re-establish himself.
Rieko Ioane (20)
Position: Centre/Wing
Caps: 2 Tries: 1
Always on the lookout for involvement and opportunities. Has played mostly at centre but might be better as a wing as it gives him more freedom. Scores some remarkable tries, as the Lions witnessed against the Blues.
Ngani Laumape (24)
Position: Second five-eighth
Uncapped
A try-scoring sensation from the Hurricanes. Played league for the Warriors when he left school, but came back to rugby after two years, with the Hurricanes chasing his return. This year he has been in terrific form.
Anton Lienert-Brown (22)
Position: Centre
Caps: 10 Tries: 2
Another young gun with an amazing passion for the game. Loves the pressure of big-time rugby. Very complete for one so young, an exciting player for the future.
Ryan Crotty (28)
Position: Second five-eighth
Caps: 26 Tries: 5
A late developer who played a lot of his early rugby at first-five. Crotty is now a senior pro and a great team man who will add to on-field leadership. Intelligent and competent in attack and defence, great commitment and workrate.
Sonny-Bill Williams (31)
Position: Second five-eighth
Caps: 33 Tries: 9
He is the complete professional, working hard to keep himself in great shape and is constantly looking to develop his skills. Made a difference in the 2015 World Cup; his first touch in the final saw him put Ma'a Nonu through for a try.
Beauden Barrett (26)
Position: First five-eighth
Caps: 49 Points: 297
Has amazed me with how much he has improved. He can do everything - punch passes, run and he is very fast on the break. Has a great knack of being able to put those kick-passes to the wing. Run, kick, pass . . .he's got the lot.
Aaron Cruden (28)
Position: First five-eighth
Caps: 47 Points: 322
Not a lot between him and Barrett. Cruden was probably the No 1 last year but got injured. Similar to Barrett, plays flat, he has the same skill set but is not as quick and does not pose quite the same direct running threat.
Lima Sopoaga (26)
Position: First five-eighth
Caps: 6 Points: 22
Probably the best goal-kicker in the squad. Has been out of the game for a couple of months and might be a little underdone but he is a tidy player with a good catch-pass. Very strong kicking out of hand.
Aaron Smith (28)
Position: Halfback
Caps: 58 Tries: 12
A livewire, always looking for opportunities and has a good kicking game. The All Blacks don't play a lot of rugby out of their own half, and Smith is the catalyst for that. Quicker than anyone at getting the ball away.
TJ Perenara (25)
Position: Halfback
Caps: 29 Tries: 7
Had an opportunity when Smith had a hiccup last year and took it very well. A very good runner, a big, strong boy, scores a lot of tries and is a good support player. However, he appears to be not as quick as Smith.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow (26)
Position: Halfback
Caps: 25 Tries: 7
A tough, combative player. Had a bad injury last year and helped as a defence coach with the Chiefs and was outstanding - so he has the analytical skills, as well as being a good communicator.
Joe Moody (28)
Position: Prop
Caps: 24 Tries: 1
A former Oceania Championship gold medal wrestler, Moody is a hard-working athlete who has made the position his own. He is not what you would call an X-factor player but he is solid in all that he does.
Wyatt Crockett (34)
Position: Prop
Caps: 46 Tries: 2
A senior pro who continues to enhance performance when coming off the bench - something that has become a part of the All Blacks' strategy. He is good round the field, carries well and defends aggressively, too.
Charlie Faumuina (30)
Position: Prop
Caps: 46 Tries: 4
Another to inject something when coming on, Faumuina is a good field player and able with ball in hand. He could play first-five, his skills are so good. He proves that it's a 23-man game and has taken substitution to another level.
Owen Franks (29)
Position: Prop
Caps: 90 Tries: 0
The second-most capped All Black and knows the business. Brought into the set-up in 2010 and his development has been extraordinary. His skill set was initially below international level but now it's world class.
Ofa Tu'ungafasi (25)
Position: Prop
Caps: 4 Tries: 0
The Blues prop is another field player, catch-pass, tackle, carry, but still learning the propping business. He is the only one of the props who is adept on both sides of the scrum, so brings value to the squad.
Dane Coles (30)
Position: Hooker
Caps: 49 Tries: 9
Probably the world's best hooker and will be missed if he doesn't recover from his concussion issues. A good thrower of the ball, and a strong scrummager but his point of difference is his ability round the field.
Codie Taylor (26)
Position: Hooker
Caps: 14 Tries: 3
Is pretty experienced and can also score tries, as he has shown with his play for the Crusaders. If he has to step up, then I believe he is capable of performing well at this level.
Nathan Harris (25)
Position: Hooker
Caps: 4 Tries: 2
Has come back well from injury after wrecking his knee a couple of years ago when scoring a try against the United States in Chicago and was out of the game for 12 months. Harris has a similar skill set to the other hookers.
Brodie Retallick (26)
Position: Lock
Caps: 60 Tries: 2
The combination with Whitelock will have the pair up there with the best in the game. Retallick is the go-to man on the All Blacks' ball, a fine athlete. He's often the guy out in the open field taking the ball off 9 or 10.
Sam Whitelock (28)
Position: Lock
Caps: 84 Tries: 5
Terrific on the opposition's ball at the lineout. An intelligent player with a high workrate. A fine leader, bright and did a degree in agricultural science while playing test rugby. Has the qualities to be the next All Blacks captain.
Luke Romano (32)
Position: Lock
Caps: 26 Tries: 2
Playing some of his best rugby this season for the undefeated Crusaders. Has been on the fringe of the All Blacks but is an important figure in the culture of the squad. Does a lot of work on the defensive lineout.
Scott Barrett (23)
Position: Lock
Caps: 4 Tries: 1
Another of the Barrett clan, Scott can play lock or flanker and is a good man to have in the squad. He carries well, is sound defensively, and is a young All Black with a promising future.
Jerome Kaino (34)
Position: Backrower
Caps: 77 Tries: 13
Hasn't played a lot of footie through injury. Had a couple of years in Japan but has come back to cement himself in the team and sets the physical standards. A big defender who carries with aggression.
Sam Cane (25)
Position: Backrower
Caps: 40 Tries: 11
A good leader, co-captain of the Chiefs and like all No 7s has a massive ticker and can run all day. Sound as an attacker and defender. Is good at the breakdown and turns over a lot of ball. Richie McCaw's clone.
Ardie Savea (23)
Position: Backrower
Caps: 12 Tries: 2
It wouldn't surprise me if he played in the first test, given the injuries to Read and Kaino. There will be concerns about the lineout, as Kaino is quite good there, but Savea is a dynamo, a big carrier and a huge defender.
Liam Squire (26)
Position: Backrower
Caps: 8 Tries: 1
Another slightly late developer owing to a few injuries he had as a youngster but he has come through well. Big, quick and has made his opportunities count. Has become an important part of the squad.
Scott Robertson has called up five new faces for his first All Blacks class of 2025, with his 35-man squad for next month’s series against France named.