New Zealand - Key players

BBC Sport Online looks at five All Blacks who are central to their hopes of retaining their Tri-Nations crown.

Todd Blackadder
Club: Canterbury Crusaders
Height: 1.93m
Age: 28
Position: Lock
International career: 5 caps, 1 try

Unbeaten as an All Black captain Todd Blackadder's appointment to lead the men in black has widely been regarded as a masterstroke.

His no nonsense, lead-from-the-front style follows in the tradition of Buck Shelford and the converted flanker is not shy in putting his body on the line for his country.

While his leadership skills are without question, his ability as an international lock is still under the spotlight especially following the dynamic emergence of Troy Flavell.

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Ron Cribb
Club: Canterbury Crusaders
Height: 1.93m
Age: 24
Position: No.8
International career: 2 caps, 2 tries

For someone who played his first game of rugby as a 17-year-old Ron Cribb has made dramatic strides in a short space of time.

His debut against Scotland gave the New Zealand public evidence that at last they had found a worthy successor to Zinzan Brooke.

Explosive off the back of the scrum and imaginative with the ball in hand, he has added an extra dimension to the All Blacks and allowed Taine Randell to revert to his favoured blindside role.

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Anton Oliver
Club: Otago Highlanders
Height: 1.85m
Age: 24
Position: Hooker
International career: 22 caps, 2 tries

Anton Oliver rediscovered his best form in the two Tests against Scotland to reaffirm his status as the incumabant ahead of a strong challenge from Mark Hammett.

Oliver's all-round skillls have never been called into question, but his throwing into the lineout has at times been wayward.

He must be able to hit his jumpers in the Tri-Nations to enable New Zealand to capitalise on any ground made by the boot of Andrew Mehrtens.

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Tana Umaga
Club: Wellington Hurricanes
Height: 1.87m
Position: Wing
Age: 27
International career: 20 caps, 18 tries

With his dreadlocks flayling in the breeze Tana Umaga in full flight is an awesome sight.

His try-scoring record of 18 tries in 20 appearances bears witness to the claim by Scottish coach Ian McGeechan that he is the best winger in world rugby.

Not only does he finish tries he has the quickness of mind and physical strength to set up numerous others for his team-mates.

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Scott Roberston
Club: Canterbury Crusaders
Height: 1.90m
Age: 25
Position: Flanker
International career: 7 caps, 1 try

As a member of the champion Crusaders side Scott Roberston has been threatening to steal Josh Kronfeld's number seven for a number of years.

Now that Kronfeld is winding down his international career Robertson is ready to fill his formidable shoes.

Pacy and athletic Robertson suits the expansive game employed by coach Wayne Smith and is set for a lengthy stint in the side.