All Blacks century-makers: What it takes to crack 100

All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock is set to play his 100th test for New Zealand when he takes the field in Sydney on Saturday night.

The 29-year-old will be the eighth All Black to crack 100 tests after being named in the starting line-up for the Rugby Championship opener.

It will be his 25th test against Australia and his seventh in Sydney.

Richie McCaw became the first All Black to reach the 100-test achievement, playing his 100th against France in a pool match at the 2011 World Cup. At the time he was the 19th player in world rugby to reach the milestone, Mils Muliaina did it two weeks later against Argentina.

Frenchman Philippe Sella became the first player to reach the 100-test milestone in 1994 against the All Blacks, a shocking 22-8 victory at Lancaster Park.

Since then 52 players have played 100 or more tests.

The next All Black on the list? Owen Franks will play his 99th test on Saturday and will likely crack the 100 next week at Eden Park. Aaron Smith is the next most capped player in the squad, bringing up his 75th this weekend.

The All Blacks century-makers

Richie McCaw

Played: 148 tests
Started: 141
Tests off the bench: 7
Won: 131
Lost: 15
Drawn: 2
100th test: Sep 24, 2011 - All Blacks 37 France 17, Eden Park (RWC pool game)
Since debut: All Blacks played 185 tests
Percentage of All Blacks tests he's played in since debut:80%
Days between debut and 100th: 3598

Richie McCaw after he received his 100th test cap in 2011. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Mils Muliaina

Played: 100
Started: 95
Tests off the bench: 5
Won: 84
Lost: 16
100th test: Oct 9, 2011 - All Blacks 33 Argentina 10, Eden Park (RWC quarter-final)
Since debut: All Blacks played 115 tests
Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 87%
Days between debut and 100th: 3040

Mils Muliaina, with the late Jock Hobbs, after playing his 100th test. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Keven Mealamu

Played: 132
Started: 77
Tests off the bench: 55
Won: 114
Lost: 16
Drawn: 2
100th test: Oct 20, 2012 - All Blacks 18 Australia 18, Brisbane
Since debut: All Blacks have played 172 tests
Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 77%
Days between debut and 100th: 3619

Keven Mealamu receives his 100th test cap from captain Richie McCaw. Photo / Getty

Tony Woodcock

Played:118
Started: 105
Tests off the bench: 13
Won: 102
Lost: 15
Drawn: 1
100th test: Aug 24, 2013 - All Blacks 27 Australia 16, Wellington
Since debut: All Blacks have played 168
Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 69.8%
Days between debut and 100th: 3928

Tony Woodcock, wearing his silver cap, with his daughter Ella, after playing his 100th test. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Dan Carter

Played: 112
Started: 106
Tests off the bench: 6
Won: 99
Lost: 12
Drawn: 1
100th test: Nov 16, 2013 - All Blacks 30 England 22, Twickenham
Since debut: All Blacks have played: 170
Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 65.8%
Days between debut and 100th: 3802 days.

Dan Carter celebrates with his father Neville after playing his 100th test. Photo /Getty

Ma'a Nonu

Played: 103
Started: 87
Tests off the bench: 16
Won: 91
Lost: 10
Drawn: 2
100th test: Oct 11, 2015 - All Blacks 47 Tonga 9, Newcastle
Since debut: All Blacks played 170
Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 60%
Days between debut and 100th: 4502.

Ma'a Nonu celebrates after reaching the 100 test milestone at the Rugby World Cup.

Kieran Read

Played: 109
Started: 102
Tests off the bench: 7
Won: 94
Lost: 12
Drawn: 3
100th test: July 8, 2017 - All Blacks 15 Lions 15, Eden Park
Since debut: All Blacks played 115
Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 86%
Days between debut and 100th: 3164.

Kieran Read reacts and his baby son Reuben starts to cry after receiving his 100th cap. Photosport

Sam Whitelock

Played: 99
Started: 81
Tests off the bench: 18
Won: 88
Lost: 8
Drawn: 3
100th test: August 18 v Wallabies, Sydney
Since debut: All Blacks played 123
Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 80.4%
Days between debut and 100th: 2989