KEY POINTS:
Dan Carter
What to say? The world's best No 10 by a street, perhaps the game's best, full stop. He's been off his optimum form in the international programme this season, but he's a matchwinner. The numbers tell the story: 40 tests since 2003, when he started as second five-eighths, 615 points. A peerless performer who is critical to the All Blacks cup hopes.
FORWARDS
Rodney So'oialo
The selectors' clear favourite for No 8, although there's a school of thought that winning World Cup teams traditionally have had a bigger bloke off the back of the scrum. It took him time to fully convince that he's the right player for the job and, even though he's silenced many doubters, some remain. High workrate, defensive muscle and a lineout option are key components in his game.
Sione Lauaki
His selection depends largely on his fitness. He's played little since the end of the Super 14 but the selectors will have thought long and hard and remembered the dynamic form of the latter stages of that competition. Then, he was an irresistible figure as the Chiefs pushed to the cusp of the semifinals. Not wanted last year but could prove a masterstroke.
Chris Masoe
The back-up to So'oialo and McCaw, the jury is still out on his best role. A tough, abrasive player, he's enjoyed the selectors' confidence although there are others with fair claims for the job. He won't make the top XV but tends to add starch when he arrives off the bench.
Richie McCaw
The leader of the pack. There are four All Blacks the other top countries would give an arm to have - Dan Carter, Mils Muliaina, Carl Hayman and McCaw. He knows the rules inside out and, as the No 7, is always close to the edge of the law. He's had his collar felt by referees too, although not often enough, say his opponents. Take 10 minutes out tonight and just watch his work.
Jerry Collins
The enforcer to whom a backward step is anathema. He has a well-known aversion to missing games, in which case he should arrive in France fit to bust, what with reconditioning and rotation. Has broadened his game since his test debut in 2001, has deft hands and a useful kicking game. Will be a key figure in the big games.
Reuben Thorne
The player who polarised a (rugby) country but the point is, are all four All Black coaches who've picked him wrong? Good lineout operator, defensively solid but invariably questions over his offensive work. A good man to have in the party for his off-field contribution.
Chris Jack
His farewell test is at Eden Park tonight before he parks up at Saracens after the cup. He'll finish as second best capped All Black lock behind Ian Jones and will have a seven-year career to reflect on. Always a certainty, especially given the rate at which the country's other locks have been dropping this year.
Ali Williams
The black jersey seems to pull out the best in Williams. His broken jaw against France didn't help but the All Blacks rate his ability to get back up to speed smartly. At his best he's dynamic, but he'll need some sort of matchplay between now and September 8.
Keith Robinson
Injuries and Robinson are like pizza and dough - you don't get one without the other these days. His dicky calf is a big worry. He strained it in the warm-up to the French test in Wellington. Returned with a vengeance against South Africa last weekend. He's a terrific lineout leaper, a hard head in the tight stuff and doesn't try to be clever out in the backline. If he stays fit, he'll be a strong contributor.
Carl Hayman
The scrum rock and there's none better going round. Not many props get offered £300,000 a year but that's what Newcastle are stumping up for the Otago tighthead after the cup. The key? He's aggressive, rather than content to be stable and he makes life distinctly uncomfortable for a world of looseheads.
Neemia Tialata
In the absence through injury of Greg Somerville, he's become the regular third choice prop. A big slab of a bloke who can do either side of the scrum. Twelve of his 17 test appearances have come from the bench.
Tony Woodcock
The other part of the best propping pair in the business. Woodcock made his debut in 2002, missed the next year and has only nailed the job since 2005. A mobile player and durable, at 26 he's in his prime.
Greg Somerville
The selectors have not forgotten the man they call Yoda. He's been out since his Achilles exploded against South Africa at Rustenberg last year. He's on the mend with club footy in Christchurch and has had a game for Canterbury. They might leave a space when the squad is named tomorrow but they want him on the plane. They've got until August 14 to confirm it.
Anton Oliver
The longest serving All Black, he can date his career back to when the All Blacks played tour games. Curious in that of his 54 tests, just seven came in a three-year period - 2003-05. Back in favour for his gnarly ways. A tough scrummager and a bright bloke. Expect him to start against what the All Blacks perceive to be the better set piece packs. Lineouts? Hmmmm.
Keven Mealamu
A dynamic barrel who invariably makes ground when others can't. Rugged battler hard to stop with his low centre of gravity. Will have a ding-dong battle with Oliver for first dibs. Lineouts? Hmmmm.
Andrew Hore
The third choice hooker, he's been in favour since getting the reconditioning call late last year. Unlikely to nobble the other two for the big games but a useful campaigner with a no-frills approach. Lineouts? Hmmmm.
BACKS
Mils Muliaina
Never in doubt once a troublesome foot injury and subsequent hamstring problem cleared up in time for the test against Canada in Hamilton last month. Made his test debut in 2003 and one of the first names pencilled in ever since. A class act at fullback or centre. He appeals as the most reliable No 13 and the first-choice fullback. Seldom makes a mistake. A key figure in the cup quest.
Leon MacDonald
Unusual in that he took a break from New Zealand rugby to take in a Japanese sojourn, returned still in his prime and regained his spot. Hard-running counter-attacker whose Tri-Nations involvement was snagged by a groin tear a couple of days before the loss to the Wallabies in Melbourne three weeks ago. Used as a centre in 2003 cup. It won't happen this time.
Doug Howlett
Right wing who has regained sharp form this year. Appeared in all seven games at the last cup but used sparingly in the last couple of seasons. Has a good appetite for work. Looks reinvigorated, perhaps a result of recent fatherhood. His challenge will be to hold off his Auckland chum Joe Rokocoko in the big games. His tally of 43 tries in 57 tests speaks for itself.
Joe Rokocoko
A curious year for Joltin' Joe, or Josevata as he now prefers to be known. He returned from the reconditioning window and was unwanted by Blues coach David Nucifora. Since getting back to the test team has come on in leaps. His 38 tries in 44 tests since his 2003 debut are eloquent testimony to the threat he poses. The black jersey seems to bring out the best in a fast, strong, elusive runner.
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Missed last weekend and tonight's Tri-Nations tests with a calf injury. Has scored 17 tries in as many tests since his debut against Fiji in 2005. The Waikato man is capable of brilliance and has a lock on the left-wing job. He has the knack of finding space in broken play or running back on the counter-attack.
Conrad Smith
A wretched year will have a silver lining tomorrow. He's been the bloke the selectors have been waiting on as they've tinkered with the midfield through the international season. An eye socket injury and hamstring problems took him out of the equation until last weekend when he came on for 180 seconds against South Africa. A classy footballer with a good rugby brain.
Isaia Toeava
The selectors have been singing his praises for two years. He can play, as he demonstrated in the Super 14 for the Blues, and shows glimpses of his capabilities in black. Still learning, and his hands are a worry, but has the ability to carve through the best defences. Nine tests since his debut against Scotland late in 2005.
Luke McAlister
He's played tests at No 10, No 12 and No 13 since his debut against the Lions two years ago. No one's ever disputed the talent but working out the best time to utilise his range of kicks has been an issue. A solidly built, sharp runner with a snappy step, McAlister has all the gifts. His selection against the Wallabies tonight suggests he may have nabbed the inside running for second five-eighths.
Aaron Mauger
Mr Reliable has been an All Black in 42 tests since making his debut alongside Richie McCaw against Ireland in 2001. Heading to Leicester post-World Cup, he's been vocal on the All Blacks rotation policy. You can bet others share his views. A backline rock who provides stability, tidy kicking and a cool head.
Nick Evans
Eleven test appearances spread over three years seems a poor return for a gifted footballer. But when a bloke called Dan Carter is at the head of the queue, that's life. Demonstrated his running skills with a fine try against South Africa last weekend and can kick like a mule. Decent goalkicker too. He should be a key figure in the 22 at the big cup games.
Byron Kelleher
Tough, nuggety halfback on his final hurrah. He's off to Toulouse after the World Cup, bringing an end to a career that began in 1999. He'll arrive in France as the No 1 No 9 but Piri Weepu, a similar type, is pushing hard and Brendon Leonard, a different type, has made a big rails run.
Piri Weepu
Did a stint at first five-eighths for the Hurricanes this year as they searched for a backline solution. That won't happen at the World Cup. Decent footballer with a penchant for striking hairdos. His big challenge will be usurping Kelleher in France.
Brendon Leonard
The big comer. Impressed in Waikato's Air New Zealand Cup triumph last year and moved up a gear in the Super 14 for the Chiefs. He can't be accused of not taking his opportunities. A halfback with an eye for a running chance, he's quick and has resourceful qualities. Three tests off the bench and nabbed his first test try against the Boks last weekend. Can he continue to rise up the pecking order?
UNLUCKY
Rico Gear
Four into three won't go and Gear is the luckless fourth winger. Looked the best of them for a time in 2005 and last year.
Jimmy Cowan
A combative halfback who had a pretty decent Super 14 for the Highlanders but Leonard's late run has proved irresistible.
Marty Holah
Waikato folk get grumpy about the specialist No 7's treatment by the panel. As good as any over the ball but lacks the explosive qualities they want.
Troy Flavell
Graham Henry wanted him back from Japan. Started Super 14 impressively before tailing off. Didn't do enough in test outings this season to fully convince.
Ross Filipo
Got surprise chance as locks began falling over. Put himself about and looked useful. Not enough, however, to budge the top three.
Clarke Dermody
Solid, reliable prop from the far south. Wouldn't let anyone down but just off the pace.
Corey Flynn
Pretty useful sort but shares others' lineout throwing wobbles. Once three hookers went on reconditioning, the die was cast.
