New Zealand: Key players

BBC Sport Online looks at five All Blacks who Scotland must subdue this summer

Todd Blackadder
Club: Canterbury Crusaders
Height: 1.93m
Age: 28
Position: Lock
International career: 2 caps

A leader of men, Todd Blackadder has been rewarded for his Super 12 success with the Canterbury Crusaders with the All Black captaincy.

He moved from blindside flanker to lock last season in an attempt to add to his two All Black caps and was selected ahead of veteran lock Robin Brooke.

He captained the All Black midweek team on their tour of the United Kingdom in 1997 and New Zealand 'A' in 1999 and is a tough tackling, resilient player who will lead from the front.

---

Ron Cribb
Club: Canterbury Crusaders
Height: 1.93m
Age: 23
Position: No.8
International career: Uncapped

An impressive performer over the past two seasons, Ron Cribb is yet to make his Test debut, but is almost certainly going to be the first choice No.8 this season.

Powerfully built and hard to stop, Cribb also possesses all-round skills that remind people of the great Zinzan Brooke in his prime.

He has been tipped by many in New Zealand to be a long-term solution to the All Blacks' problems at the back of the scrum.

---

Andrew Mehrtens
Club: Canterbury Crusaders
Height: 1.78m
Age: 27
Position: Fly-half
International career: 39 caps, 594 points, 7 Tries, 98 cons, 126 pens, 7 drop goals

The lynchpin of the All Black backline, Andrew Mehrtens has firmly established himself as one of the best fly-halves in the world.

His ability to control the game with his boot and land important kicks is critical to New Zealand's success and he lies behind Grant Fox on the All Blacks' point scoring list.

Despite his smallish frame, Mehrtens is defesnively sound and his deceptive pace can often create problems for opposing defences.

---

Jonah Lomu
Club: Wellington Hurricanes
Height: 1.96m
Position: Wing
Age: 25
International career: 38 caps 38, 25 tries

The most instantly recognised face in rugby. Lomu burst upon the world stage in the 1995 World Cup but was then laid low by a life-threatening kidney complaint.

He recaptured his best form to make the side for the 1999 World Cup and again terrorised England.

Almost impossible to stop single-handedly, he is often gang-tackled but concerns remain over his defensive abilities.

---

Christian Cullen
Club: Wellington Hurricanes
Height: 1.79m
Age: 24
Position: Wing/full-back
International career: 41 caps, 161 points, 31 tries, 3 cons

When on form Christian Cullen is arguably the best attacking player in world rugby.

He has great balance, awesome acceleration, huge strength and the ability to step a long way, off either foot.

Cullen played at centre at last year's World Cup when many felt his best position was full-back, where he could come into the line at pace.

He boasts a staggering try-scoring record, claiming 31 tries in just 41 tests.