The All Black super subs

Keven Mealamu holds the world record for most substitute appearances. Photo / Getty

The All Blacks have always benefited from having exceptional depth, with their reserve bench often consisting of world-class players able to make a strong impact on the game at any moment.

As a result of this, many excellent players have had to bide their time on the bench behind some of world rugby's greats - with two long-time All Blacks holding the top two spots for the most appearances off the bench in world rugby history.

Keven Mealamu's longevity sees him atop the list with 49 appearances off the bench (to go with 77 as starter), while Piri Weepu's 46 appearances off the bench had him second all-time.

Impressively, Ben Franks has had 37 appearances off the pine, compared to just six as starter - one of the highest sub-to-start ratios in All Black history.

The most games played without starting for the All Blacks is held by prop Charles Riechelmann, with just six.

The Herald looks at the All Blacks records for all things substitutes.

Most substitute appearances in world rugby:

1. Keven Mealamu 49
2. Piri Weepu 46
3. Ollie le Roux 43
4. Ronan O'Gara 43
5. Ruan Pienaar 41
6. Jeremy Paul 38
7. Bidzina Samkharadze 38
8. Ben Franks 37
9. Eoin Reddan 37
10. Dimitri Szarzewski 37

Franks can continue his rise up the charts at the Rugby World Cup, while Beauden Barrett could be a contender for the list in future, having already made 23 bench appearances and could potentially be behind Aaron Cruden in the post-Dan Carter landscape.

Highest All Black percentage of games coming off the bench:

1. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (14/15) 93.3%
2. Corey Flynn (13/15) 86.7%
3. Ben Franks (31/37) 83.8%
4. TJ Perenara (12/15) 80%
5. Beauden Barrett (23/30) 76.7%
6. John Afoa (22/29) 75.9%
7. Anthony Boric (17/24) 70.8%
8. Colin Slade (14/20) 70%
9. Charlie Faumuina (19/27) 70.4%
10. Mark Hammett (20/29) 69.0%

Kerr-Barlow leads the way with all bar one of his 15 appearances coming off the bench, with most of the names on the list being in the positions which often demand a substitute, such as halfback, prop and hooker.

Lowest All Black percentage of games coming off the bench:

1. Jeff Wilson (0/60) 0%
2. Gary Whetton (0/58) 0%
3. Olo Brown (0/56) 0%
4. Frank Bunce (0/55) 0%
5. Colin Meads (0/55) 0%
6. Sean Fitzpatrick (1/92) 1.1%
7. Tana Umaga (1/74) 1.3%
8. John Kirwan (1/63) 1.6%
9. Robin Brooke (1/62) 1.6%
10. Joe Rokocoko (2/68) 2.9%

Peppered with players from an earlier era - where players weren't subbed unless they were injured or having an absolute shocker, Wilson leads the way with 60 games without coming off the bench.