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

All Blacks captain Kieran Read playing in his 99th test last Saturday. Photo / Mark Mitchell

All Blacks captain Kieran Read is set to play his 100th test for New Zealand when he leads the side out against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday.

The 31-year-old will be the seventh All Black to crack 100 tests after being named in the starting line-up for the third test at Eden Park.

Richie McCaw became the first All Black to reach the 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 46 players have played 100 or more tests.

The next All Black on the list? Owen Franks will play his 94th test on Saturday while Sam Whitelock, 88th this week, and Jerome Kaino, 81st this week, are next likely to make it.

The seven 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

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

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

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

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

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

Kieran Read

Played:99
Started: 92
Tests off the bench: 7
Won:86
Lost:11
Drawn:2

100th test: July 8 v Lions, Eden Park
Since debut: All Blacks played 115
Percentage of All Blacks tests since debut: 86%
Days between debut and 100th: 3164