All Blacks backs

Dan Carter. File picture / Brett Phibbs

Mils Muliaina (Auckland)
Fullback, 24, 1.83m, 84kg, 26 tests
Has established himself as first-choice No 15 after making his debut in the loss to England in 2003. A consistent performer who has scored 12 test tries.

Leon Macdonald (Canterbury)
Fullback, 27, 1.81m, 96kg, 26 tests
Made his debut as a replacement against Scotland in 2000 and started his first test against Samoa the following year. Left New Zealand for a stint in Japan after the 2003 World Cup. Strong running,reliable player.

Doug Howlett (Auckland)
Wing, 26, 1.85m, 89kg, 45 tests
Made a flying start to his career,scoring in his first seven tests after making his debut againstTonga in 2000. First played for Auckland as a schoolboy. The country's senior winger with 34 test tries.

Rico Gear (Nelson Bays)
Wing, 27, 1.81m, 92kg, 2 tests
Made debut against Italy on last year's European tour. Switched to Crusaders this year and has had outstanding campaign. The former Colts and Maori representative is an expert finisher with plenty of pace.

Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato)
Wing, 23, 1.85m, 99kg, 0 tests
Made his mark last year for the Pacific Islanders, scoring tries against the All Blacks, Australia and SouthAfrica. Shoulder injury forced him to start late in the Super 12. Terrific pace, an eye for a chance. Powerful runner.

Ma'a Nonu (Wellington)
Wing, 22, 1.83m, 99kg, 7 tests
Hard-running back who has made a big impact for the Hurricanes on the wing this year. Made his debut in the loss to England in 2003. Unlikely test starter, but could be on the bench.

Tana Umaga (Wellington, captain)
Midfield, 31, 1.87m, 101kg, 63 tests
Was first Pacific Islander to captain the All Blacks last year. Respected figure who began his test life as a wing in 1997 before moving into centre. Tough tackler, tackle-busting runner with 31 tries to his name.

Conrad Smith (Wellington)
Midfield, 23, 1.86m, 87kg, 2 tests
Got his chance on the European tour late last year, scored a try on debut against Italy and played against France. Regarded as an intelligent centre, lacking genuine pace but a good distributor and support player.

Aaron Mauger (Canterbury)
Midfield, 24, 1.81m, 93kg, 23 tests
Tidy performer at second five-eighths and can play No 10. The former national under-21 captain is a good tactical kicker who made his test debut against Ireland in 2001. Not a flashy player, but key figure in the Crusaders.

Daniel Carter (Canterbury)
First five-eighths, 23, 1.80m, 91kg, 17 tests
Sure to be No 10 for the first test. Made his debut against Wales in 2003 and already has 232 test points. Moved in from second five-eighths last year and looked born to the pivot's role. Gifted goalkicker.

Justin Marshall (Canterbury)
Halfback, 31, 1.79m, 94kg, 77 tests
Most capped All Blacks halfback since making his debut in Paris in 1995. Has scored 28 tries and despite criticism of the speed of his pass has been the country's premier No 9 for several years.

Byron Kelleher (Waikato)
Halfback, 28, 1.75m, 91kg, 32 tests
The incumbent test halfback, but likely to be on the bench for the first test. Had a fine game against France at the end of last year. Bustling, lively player who made his debut against Samoa in 1999.