The class of 2001: Mitchell's All Blacks

15. Leon MacDonald

Age: 23.

Caps: 11.

Debut: v Scotland (2000).

Points: 10 (2 tries).

Has represented New Zealand at schools, under-19, and also the New Zealand Maori side. Has effectively taken the position from Christian Cullen and Jeff Wilson. Strong and quick, he is a powerful attacking threat.

14. Doug Howlett

Age: 23.

Caps: 10.

Debut: v Tonga (2000)

Points: 45 (9 tries)

Scored two tries on his debut in the 102-0 victory over Tonga last year and then went on to score a try in each of his next six Tests. He was the youngest player to play Super 12 rugby at 18 years 230 days and the following week in his first start scored three tries.

13. Tana Umaga

Age: 28.

Caps: 34.

Debut: v Fiji (1997)

Points: 110 (22 tries)

He was New Zealand's Player of the Year in 2000 and is the fourth highest try scorer in Super 12. His brother Mike played for Samoa and they played against each other in 1999. Hugely powerful runner converted from wing to outside centre. One of the All Black star names.

12. Aaron Mauger

Age: 20.

Caps: 0.

Debut: v Ireland (today)

Points: 0.

Once played with Suttonians under-20s and one of two brothers - Nathan is the other - in the New Zealand squad. Kept Andrew Mehrtens on the bench for most of Canterbury's Super 12 campaign this season but finds himself at inside centre today in making his debut. Rated very highly in New Zealand.

11. Jonah Lomu

Age: 26.

Caps: 52.

Debut: v France (1994)

Points: 155 (31 tries)

The most recognisable figure in world rugby. Six foot five inches, 18 and a half stone and can run the 100 metres in 10.6 seconds. Has scored 15 tries in World Cups (a record), is the youngest player in the world to score 10 Test match tries and the only player to score 12 in a calendar season.

10. Andrew Mehrtens

Age: 28.

Caps: 52.

Debut: v Canada (1995)

Points: 763 (7 tries, 130 conversions, 147 penalties, 9 drop goals)

His 763 points in Test matches are the most by an All Blacks player and the fourth highest in the history of the game. Fastest player in the world to reach 100, 200, 600, 700 points in Test matches. Has scored 51 points against Ireland in two matches.

9. Byron Kelleher

Age: 24.

Caps: 16.

Debut: v Samoa (1999)

Points: 10 (2 tries)

Has started only three of his 16 Test match appearances. Strong, very quick and powerful, he is a handful for any opposing back row. Was New Zealand's Super 19 player of the year in 1999 and is now ensconced as the successor to the injured Justin Marshall.

1. Greg Feek

Age: 26.

Caps: 8.

Debut: v Samoa (1999)

Points: 0.

Helped Canterbury to the NPC title this year. He made his debut for New Zealand two years ago in a 71-13 win over Samoa at Albany. Has also played for the NZ Maoris. Solid technique and gets around the paddock to boot.

2. Anton Oliver

Age: 26.

Caps: 36.

Debut: v Fiji (1997)

Points: 10 (2 tries)

Emulated his father, Frank, when he led the All Blacks for the first time against Samoa earlier this year and continued the proud tradition of New Zealand hookers who have captained the national side. Made his All Blacks debut against the same opponents (Fiji) and on the same ground (Albany) that his father did in 1976. Lineout throwing can be wayward.

3. Greg Somerville

Age: 23.

Caps: 13.

Debut: v Tonga (2000)

Points: 0.

He played in every possible game in 1999 - 27 in all for New Zealand A, Crusaders and Canterbury - and the following season had more field time than any prop in New Zealand. Established himself as the first choice tighthead for the All Blacks in 2001.

4. Chris Jack

Age: 23.

Caps: 4.

Debut: v Argentina (2001)

Points: 5 (1 try)

Scored a try just 11 minutes after coming on for his Test debut as a replacement against Argentina. He subsequently played against South Africa twice and Australia. Will win his fifth cap today. Tall, rangy player; a decent lineout option and a contributor around the pitch.

5. Norm Maxwell

Age: 25.

Caps: 27.

Debut: v Samoa (1999)

Points: 15 (3 tries)

A superb athlete who contributes in every facet of his position. He has quickly racked up the caps since making his debut against Samoa in 1999, missing just one of the last 28 Test matches. He will be familiar with Brian O'Driscoll having played in the same Barbarians team as the Irish centre against South Africa in 2000.

6. Reuben Thorne

Age: 26.

Caps: 16.

Debut: v South Africa (1999)

Points: 5 (1 try)

Very much the unsung member of the pack whose quiet, efficient performances are often superseded by more high-profile displays. A throwback to the old All Black forward.

7. Richard McCaw

Age: 20.

Caps: 0.

Debut: v Ireland (today)

Points: 0.

Brings a huge reputation from New Zealand as an outstanding prospect. A genuine seven, he is the man charged with allowing the All Blacks to play the type of game that coach John Mitchell wants. Captained NZ to victory in the 2001 SANZAR tournament in Sydney.

8. Scott Robertson

Age: 27.

Caps: 13.

Debut: v Australia (1998)

Points: 5 (1 try)

Played with All-Ireland League club Ards and by all accounts enjoyed his time in Ireland. Played in all of New Zealand's Test matches in the 2000 season. Not used in the All Blacks mid-year series but his career took off again when he moved to number eight for Canterbury with great success.