 Already this year, the All Blacks have made a mark on world rugby. Check out the players who have made it all happen in the home season! (Bios courtesy of allblacks.com)
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Daniel Carter (sigh)
Position: Second Five-Eighths A fast-rising star of the All Blacks, the team's main goalkicker is the second former pupil of Leeston's Ellesmere College to have made the All Blacks in recent years, following on from loose forward Sam Broomhall who was first capped in 2002. He also hails from the same club, Christchurch High School Old Boys, as Andrew Mehrtens. A talented attacking second five-eighths, Carter is also sound defensively and has been utilised at first class level as a first five-eighths. An accurate goal-kicker, Carter has showed many times that he is cool under pressure. He was a member of the title-winning Crusaders Development squad in the 2002 season and top-scored for New Zealand at the 2002 Under 21 World Cup in South Africa with 72 points, including a haul of 25 against England. He steppd up to senior Super 12 play in 2003 before being picked for the All Blacks at the age of 21. He made an immediate impact in the black jersey with a strong debut against Wales in 2003, featured as an impact player off the bench during the Philips Tri Nations success and then rubber-stamped his potential with an outstanding Rugby World Cup. Has continued fantastic form in 2004. |
Jerry Collins
Position: Blindside Flanker Collins has carved a name for himself as a no-nonsense loose-forward who goes about business with ruthless efficiency. An at times brutal tackler who compliments his defensive strength with a ‘dead-ahead’ approach with ball in hand, Collins has overcome leg injuries of a severity that might have put off lesser characters, in order to resume his international career. He made New Zealand Secondary Schools for two seasons running in 1997 and 1998 and was Player of the Tournament at the 1999 World Junior Championships (Under-19) which New Zealand won, becoming the first player for that team to get called up to the All Blacks. Collins became one of the youngest players ever to captain a senior club team when he led Porirua’s Northern United in 1999 at just 18 years of age. A former rubbish collector for the Wellington City Council, Collins is a cousin of 2004 All Blacks captain Tana Umaga. |
Nick Evans
Position: First Five-Eighths Dabbled with Australian Rules when he was younger which has helped develop his kicking skills. Was a member of the New Zealand Sevens side in 2002 featuring in the final eight tournaments in the 2001-02 IRB World Series. Evans scored 157 points during that time made up of 21 tries and 26 conversions. Made his representative debut for North Harbour in 2001. Started off as a fullback but moved in to first-five eighths last year when Luke McAlister was injured. Was included in the Barbarians squad that beat New Zealand Maori in 2002. Drafted by the Highlanders for his debut season in Rebel Sport Super 12, where he was a permanent fixture playing in all 11 matches. One of the bright spots in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Highlanders, Nick Evans made a big impression during his first season in Dunedin to earn an international call up. An agile player who is stronger than he looks, Evans is deceptively quick and possesses a howitzer-like boot. At home at either first five-eighths or fullback, the North Harbour youngster is also an accurate goal-kicker. |
Rico Gear
Position: Wing An exhilarating, all-round player, Gear comes off a fantastic 2004 Super 12 season with the Blues. His career includes one of the most coveted trophies of all - a Commonwealth Games gold medal when he was part of the New Zealand Sevens side. His World Cup sevens medals are also in his trophy cabinet. He was in 1995-96 a member of the Gisborne Boys High School first XV who many times distinguished themselves at the national level. He first played for Auckland in 1998 after coming north from Gisborne where by the age of 19 he had played third division rugby for Poverty Bay. His stint in the Auckland side was curtailed by a serious knee injury. He has also played for the New Zealand Colts and the New Zealand Maoris. In 1999 he was selected in the Auckland Blues squad and played just one game. In 2000 he had a season with Bay of Plenty but switched to North Harbour last season. To date Gear has played for Poverty Bay, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and North Harbour at NPC level, and the Blues, Crusaders and Highlanders at Super 12 level. He was born and educated in Gisborne and for two years studied anthropology at Massey University with an emphasis on Maoridom and Maori language. He is a member of the Te Aitanga a Makaki sub-tribe of the Ngati Porou and the family marae is at Mangatu. |
Jono Gibbes
Position: Blindside Flanker Made the New Zealand Under-21s for two straight seasons in 1997 and 1998 but didn't make his representative debut for Waikato until 2000 due to an unfortunate run of injuries. His brother Chris played 32 games for Hawke's Bay as a lock in the mid-1990s. Played his first game for Waikato in a Ranfurly Shield defence against West Coast at Greymouth in 2000. Was selected for the Chiefs a year later and succeeded Deon Muir as Waikato skipper last year. First appeared for New Zealand Maori on the 2002 tour of Australia playing in all three tour matches including the international against the Wallabies at Perth. Was appointed New Zealand Maori captain last year and led the team against Tonga but was then forced to miss the match against England and the tour of Canada due to a knee injury. Captain of the Chiefs for the last two seasons, Jonno Gibbes has forced his way into All Blacks calculations after a strong Rebel Sport Super 12 campaign for the first time semi-finalists. Gibbes led by example throughout the competition, his selfless approach being best illustrated by his preparedness to play at lock when required even though he is better suited to the blindside flank. A fine lineout forward, Gibbes is also a stout defender who is quickly making up for lost time after having the early part of his career blighted by injury. |
Carl Hayman
Position: Prop Hayman is a powerful scrummager and tall by front row standards at 1.93m. He became the 1000th All Black in 2001 when he made his debut as a replacement against Samoa. He toured Europe with the All Blacks on their end-of-year tour in 2002 and returned to the All Blacks in 2004. Hayman started his education in Taranaki but then moved south where he attended King's High School and played in the first XV alongside fellow future All Black Tom Willis. Back then he played lock and number eight. He first represented New Zealand at Under 16 level in 1995. Then hehad two years in the Secondary Schools team (1996-97), two seasons at Under 19 level (1997-98), three years in the New Zealand Under 21 team (1998-2000). The 2000 side drilled South Africa 71-5 in the final of the 2000 International Under 21 Tournament. Later that year he toured Europe with New Zealand A. He began his representative career with Otago under the wing of All Black props Carl Hoeft and Kees Meeuws. Took over as a first choice for Otago and the Highlanders when Meeuws returned to Auckland. |
Marty Holah
Position: Openside Flanker Was the 999th player to represent New Zealand. Is a graduate in Leisure Studies from Waikato University. Made a debut for Waikato in 1999 during the team's visit to Japan. One of the individual stars ofthe 2002 end of year All Black tour and 2003 seasons, Marty Holah looks set for a bumper 2004 season as he continues his battle with Richard McCaw for a starting berth in the Test XV. The pair rate up there with the very best of their trade in the game. Holah's strength is his ability to wrench the ball free at the tackle which invariably results in a high number of turnovers in any game he features in. The Waikato tearaway is also a sure tackler and has a great sense of anticipation, which came to the fore duringthe 2002 NPC where he provided the key link in a great number of long range tries that were scored by his side on their way to the competition final. |
Andrew Hore
Position: Hooker Made his provincial debut for Otago in 1998 but managed just 10 games in three years before relocating to Taranaki. First represented New Zealand at Under-16 level in 1994, spent the next two seasons in the New Zealand Schools team and made the Under-21s in 1999. His older brother Charles has represented Canterbury and Otago at first five-eighths while his mother is a former New Zealand hockey international. Has represented two Super 12 franchises, being called up by the Crusaders as a replacement last season before joining the Hurricanes in 2002. |
Doug Howlett
Position: Right Wing First played for Auckland while still at Secondary School. Was the youngest player ever in Super 12 on debut at age 18 years, 230 days - then scored three tries on his run-on debut a week later. Equalled Joeli Vidiri's franchise record of 10 tries in a season in Super 12 for the Blues in 2002 and then beat it in 2003 with 12. Howlett's two tries against Wales at the RWC saw him become the fifth All Black to reach 30 test tries after Christian Cullen, Jeff Wilson, Lomu and John Kirwan. Nominated as a finalist for the International Rugby Players' Association's player of the year award in 2003. With a strike rate of 32 tries in 39 Tests, Doug Howlett has quickly established himself as one of the best wingers ever to have worn the black jersey. The frightening thing is that most good judges believe the Auckland's flyer's best deeds are still to come. One of only two players to feature in all 11 All Black Tests in 2002, Howlett crossed the line seven times to finish as the team's leading try-scorer. He also topped the try-scoring charts for the Blues and Auckland, where his tally was equal with the best in the first division of the NPC. Howlett re-signed with New Zealand for three more years in the off-season and looms as potentially one of the individual stars of this year’s Rugby World Cup. |
Chris Jack
Position: Lock Scored a try 11 minutes after coming on as a substitute in his debut Test. Followed his elder brother and mentor Graham into the second row of the Canterbury and Crusaders teams. Toured Europe with New Zealand A in 2000. New Zealand Rugby's Player of the Year for 2002, Chris Jack has ball skills that would be the envy of most threequarters, is a superb athlete and covers the ground like a loose forward. Jack debuted for the All Blacks in 2001 and quickly established himself in the Test side, earning rave reviews that have had many comparing him to Australian great John Eales. Certainly Jack plays the game a similar way wielding a similar amount of influence in every team in which he features. |
Byron Kelleher
Position: Halfback Scored 2 Test match tries at the 1999 World Cup, when he came on as a substitute against Tonga and England. Scored two tries against England and one against Tonga for the Rugby Academy in 1998. New Zealand's Super 12 Player of the Year in 1999. Had limited role in the 2003 World Cup although got a role in the semifinal defeat to mirror the pain of four years earlier. Moved to Waikato at end of 2003 to gain more starting time in the Super 12 and NPC. |
Simon Maling
Position: Lock Educated at Christ's College in Christchurch but now firmly established as a favourite son in Dunedin. Only nailed down a regular spot in the Otago starting XV in 2000 after first being capped by the province in 1997. Played Super 12 for the Highlanders before he'd made the Otago NPC side. Appeared for the Barbarians club against South Africa in 2001 and Australia in 2002. Made his first-class debut when playing for New Zealand Colts prior to participation in the Southern Hemisphere Under 21 Tournament in 1996. His first try was scored in the 2000 Super 12 semi - final. In fact all of his tries have been scored in Super 12 rugby. Has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Otago University. Brought up his 100th first class game at the start of 2003. One of the players considered the most unlucky to miss selection for last year's Rugby World Cup, Simon Maling has been a strong contributor to the Otago and Highlanders cause in recent seasons. Maling is one of the best lineout forwards in the international game due to his ability to dominate the middle and poach opposition throws. He was first capped by the All Blacks on the 2001 tour and went on to play seven of the team's eight domestic Tests in 2002. |
Richie McCaw
Position: Openside Flanker Selected for the All Blacks before he'd even played a full Super 12 game and was man of the match on Test debut against Ireland. New Zealand's NPC and Under-21 Player of the Year in 2001. Last year he was voted the International Rugby Player's Association Newcomer of the Year. A member of the New Zealand's World Cup winning Under-19 team in Wales in 1999, McCaw also played in two international tournament winning New Zealand Under-21 teams in 2000 and 2001. Nominated as a finalist for the International Rugby Players' Association's player of the year award in 2003. New Zealand player of the year in 2003. Richard McCaw is a dynamic flanker in the mould of former All Black captain and current NZRU board member Graham Mourie. McCaw was brought up in North Otago and educated in Dunedin prior to settling in Christchurch. McCaw backed up the promising start to his Test career on the tour of Ireland, Scotland and Argentina in 2001 by being one of the All Blacks' best in the last two Tri Nations successes. Had an outstanding World Cup and won the New Zealand player of the year award at the 2003 Steinlager Rugby Awards. Was also a player of the year finalist in both the International Rugby Players Association and IRB awards. |
Justin Marshall
Position: Halfback Passed Andrew Mehrten's record for number of test matches (66) by an All Black back with his apperance against Tonga in 2003 at the Rugby World Cup. Is New Zealand's most capped halfback and is more than double the next highest, Graeme Bachop, who made 31 appearances. His 23 Test tries are the most by a New Zealand halfback. Became the All Blacks 54th Test captain when he led the side in four Tests in Britain in 1997. Became the All Blacks most capped back when he played Tonga at the World Cup, reaching 67 tests. The highest capped halfback in All Black history, Justin Marshall remains the most dominant force behind the scrum in the New Zealand game. His 23 Test tries are a record for New Zealand, more than doubling the next best, the 10 scored by 'Super' Sid Going. After kicking off his rep career with Southland, Marshall was lured north to Christchurch by Canterbury coach Vance Stewart where he first cracked the All Blacks on the 1995 tour of Italy and France. Marshall linked up with first five-eighths Andrew Mehrtens for the first time at provincial level that year, and they were paired together for the first time in Tests against Samoa the following season beginning a partnership that starts the season just seven games short of 50 at Test level. Marshall last year experienced something new when he became a father for the first time. Marshall has again cemented the No 9 jersey this season despite strong rivalry from within the All Blacks squad and when he played against Tonga in the World Cup he became New Zealand's most capped back with 67 test appearances. |
Keven Mealamu
Position: Hooker Mealamu burst into the international scene during the 2002 end-of-year tour to the United Kingdom. Although not the biggest hooker in world rugby, he more than makes up for any perceived size deficiency with an energetic robust approach, that invariably sees him pop up all over the field. An accurate lineout thrower, Mealamu is always a threat with ball in hand and often causes headaches for any defensive line. He started out as a flanker, from where he made the New Zealand Under-16 side in 1995 and New Zealand Schools in 1996, but switched to Hooker in 1998 after missing New Zealand Schools selection in 1997. |
Kees Meeuws
Position: Prop The most famous pig hunter ever to play for the All Blacks, Kees Meeuws has been a regular in the All Blacks engine room since debuting in 1998. Over recent years Meeuws has developed an appetite for the try-scoring and is often left holding the ball after an All Blacks forward drive to the line. He scored five tries in five Tests in 2002 set a record for a Test prop in a calendar year, and with his try against Tonga at the 2003 RWC, Meeuws became the Test try-scoring record holder for a Prop with nine tries. Meeuws has represented New Zealand through all the grades from Under-17 (in 1991) through to the All Blacks. A veteran of two Rugby World Cups, he has also shared Air New Zealand NPC success with Otago (1998) and a Rebel Sport Super 12 title with the Blues in 2003. He started his Super 12 career with the Highlanders in1997 and played 47 matches for the franchise before returning to Auckland in 2002. He also played 46 games for Otago between 1997-2001. |
Andrew Mehrtens
Position: First Five-Eighths His 948 points in Tests are the most for the All Blacks and the third highest in the world. His 199 points v Australia are the most by any player against any country. His 193 points v South Africa are the second most by any player against any country. Michael Lynagh is the only other player to have twice exceeded 120 points against a country. His 167 conversions are the most by any player in test rugby. His 108 points against Scotland is the most by any player. Has scored 20 or more points in a Test match on 13 occasions. Has twice kicked nine penalty goals in a Test match. He was fastest player in the world to reach 100; 200; 600; 700; 800 and 900 points in Test matches. If it had not been for some 'bit' Test matches, he would have been fastest to each century in between. The 28 points he scored against Canada were at that time the most points by any player anywhere on international debut. No player has scored more points in a Test match against Ireland than his 33. Is the second greatest point-scorer in Super 12 history and the only player with in excess of 300 Tri-Nations points Passed John Kirwan's record for number of test matches (63) by an All Black back with his apperance against England in 2002. New Zealand Player of the Year in 1999. Arguably the most influential player of the professional era, Andrew Mehrtens is poised to add another chapter to his glowing career after missing international selection in 2003. Mehrtens' tactical nous has been the driving force behind Canterbury, the Crusaders and the All Blacks over the last decade, while he is always dangerous on the break when the opportunity presents itself. |
Malili "Mils" Muliaina
Position: Fullback Originally from Southland he was offered a scholarship to attend Graham Henry's Kelston Boys High School (Auckland) in 1998. He played in the school's world champion first XV in Zimbabwe. Played in the New Zealand Under-19 side that won the world championships in Wales in 1999. He also represented New Zealand Sevens and the Rugby Academy that season. Spent two seasons in the New Zealand Under-21s, in 2000 and 2001. New Zealand won the the SANZAR Invitational tournament in each of those years. A member of the Rugby World Cup winning New Zealand Sevens team in Argentina three years ago, Malili 'Mils' Muliaina made the step up to the All Blacks after a rewarding 2003 Super 12. Muliaina showcased his versatility with the Blues by excelling at both centre and fullback. He is also proficient on the wing where he began his first class career. Born in Samoa but more recently of Southland, Muliaina first sprang to prominence at a national level when he shifted north to Auckland to board at Kelston Boys' High School and promptly made it into the New Zealand Schools team. He has been a regular in one form of black jersey or another ever since. Took hold of the test fullback jersey when Leon MacDonald was injured for the 2003 season and held on to it during home and Tri Nations campaigns. Switched to wing in second World Cup match and scored four tries against Canada, his first touchdowns for the All Blacks. |
Craig Newby
Position: Blindside Flanker Newby turned out for North Harbour in the Air New Zealand NPC last year after spending a couple of months with the Newcastle Falcons, the same club as England's Jonny Wilkinson. Craig Newby is a product of Rotorua Boys High School and hit the international scene via the New Zealand Sevens side. He is an exciting flanker with great ball skills and has represented both the Highlanders and the Blues in the Rebel Sport Super 12 competition. |
Keith Robinson
Position: Lock Was a surprise selection for the Chiefs by John Mitchell in 2001, being plucked from the Thames Valley NPC side. Once played in a Thames Valley primary school representative team under the captaincy of current Wallaby hooker Jeremy Paul. Started off his representative career playing for Thames Valley against Tonga in 1998, playing 22 matches for the second division union before linking up with Taranaki in 2000 and Waikato in 2001. Spent three months playing at North Ribblesdale in England at the end of the 1998 season. Shares Kees Meeuws' love of pig hunting. Keith Robinson has been one of the driving forces behind the Chiefs' resurgence this year. The 2002 All Black tourist was seldom bettered throughout the Rebel Sport Super 12 offering a constant source of inspiration to his team-mates. The then 25 year-old featured in all three Tests on his first All Blacks tour comparing favourably with the more experienced campaigners he opposed. |
Joe Rokocoko
Position: Left Wing A member of a select group of players who made New Zealand Schools for three years in a row. Family arrived in New Zealand when he was five years old. Was a member of the New Zealand Under-19 side that won the Junior World Cup in Chile in 2001, playing in all four matches. Is the first All Black to score two or more tries in 4 consecutive tests. Holds the record number of tries scored in a calendar year for the All Blacks with 17 tries, brought up against France in RWC 2003. Equalled the world record for tries in a calendar year when he crossed for a five pointer in the 40-13 defeat of France. The try was his 17th of the season, equalling the record held by Japan wing Daisuke Ohata set in 2002. Nominated as a finalist for the International Rugby Players' Association's player of the year award in 2003. Nominated as a finalist for the International Rugby Players' Association's newcomer of the year in 2003. His hatrick against England on the 19th June 2004 was the third times he has scored three tries in a Test. One of only two non-capped players invited to the All Blacks 2003 pre-season fitness testing - an experience which he described as like being a kid in a candy store - Joe Rokocoko was selected for the 2003 Super 12 prior to playing NPC for Auckland. A classical winger in the John Kirwan mould, Rokocoko always loomed as a player of great potential after starring for New Zealand at age group level. The Nadi-born speed merchant is a cousin of 1998 All Black Joeli Vidiri. Took his chances magnificently since being brought into the All Blacks in 2003 and was one of the stars of the successfull 2003 Tri Nations campaign. The quickest man in the New Zealand squad, Rokocoko is a deadly finisher and has already broken the season test try-scoring record held by All Blacks legends Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen. |
Xavier Rush
Position: No 8 Is a former age-group skipper of both the New Zealand Under-19s and Under-21s. First selected for the Blues by current All Blacks coach Graham Henry in 1997 before he'd even played for the national Under-21s. Was called on to make his Test debut in 1998 after playing for the New Zealand Under-21s earlier that same year. His sister Annaleah, who has played 20 Tests for the Black Ferns between 1996 and 2002, appeared in the curtainraiser the night he made his Test debut. Appointed Auckland captain in 2001 and led the province to back to back success in the Air New Zealand NPC in 2002 and 2003, winning the Ranfurly Shield as well last year. Led the Blues to their first Super 12 success in six seasons last year. It's been a long and windy road back to the All Blacks for Blues skipper Xavier Rush who returns to international duties for the first time in six years. Rush had just celebrated his 21st birthday when he was called on to make his Test debut at the back end of a disappointing 1998 Test season. Unfortunately his prospects of retention the following year disintegrated as the Blues struggled, although he has subsequently re-emerged from a period out of the spot light as a commanding presence leading successful Auckland and Blues teams. |
Greg Somerville
Position: Loosehead Prop Spent a year in South Africa on a Rotary Scholarship while at school, playing for his college First XV and Border Secondary Schools. Made the New Zealand Under-19 side in 1996 and New Zealand Under-21 in 1997 and 1998. Relocated to Canterbury in time for the 1998 season and made his NPC debut for the province that year in an NPC semi-final. Now an established member of the All Black front row after first debuting against Tonga in 2000, Greg Somerville is the rock on which future New Zealand scrums will be founded long into the future. A skilful player whose speed and agility belies his size, Somerville has been at the forefront of the Crusaders success in recent seasons. Somerville lists the Mel Gibson classic 'Braveheart' as his favourite movie and says that, if it wasn't for professional rugby, he would have ended up as a farmer. A key member in an improving All Black scrum that dominated thie 2003 Tri Nations forwards battles. He had a fine World Cup showing good workrate around the paddock as well as in the set pieces. |
Carlos Spencer
Position: First Five-Eighths Scored 33 points on Test debut against Argentina. Only 2 players have scored more Test points for New Zealand than Spencer, Grant Fox and Andrew Mehrtens. Was the equal fastest to 100 Test points taking just five games - he shares the record with countrymen Andrew Mehrtens and Simon Culhane. Is one of a small group of players still playing who featured in the first ever Super 12 match (between the Blues and the Hurricanes) back in 1996. Played age-group rugby alongside Christian Cullen in the Horowhenua before he was lured to Auckland by Graham Henry after starring in a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Auckland. Named as the 2002 Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year. Nominated as a finalist for the International Rugby Players' Association's player of the year award in 2003. Things happen when Carlos Spencer is around. A mercurial talent, Spencer returned to the All Black scene last year after featuring sparingly in the time since his stunning debut season in 1997. Spencer was one of the driving forces in Auckland's run to the NPC title last season although he has also showcased his talent as a more than useful fullback of late, most notably playing for New Zealand Maori against Australia in Sydney where he crossed for two tries. Aside from being a talented playmaker and exciting attacker, Spencer is an under-rated goal-kicker and has made notable improvements in this area of his game over the last few years. Was masterful in the Blues Super 12 success in 2003 and cemented his place as the No 1 first five-eighths in John Mitchell's team for the World Cup. Finalist in International Rugby Players Associations player of the year award. Won Super 12 and Maori player of the year titles at the Steinlager New Zealand Rugby Awards. |
Mose Tuiali'i
Position: Loose forward A new-comer to the black jersey in 2004. Although selected at No 8 Tuiali’i is a versatile forward who can also play at blindside flank. He has the distinction of scoring his debut Test try with his first touch of the ball in international rugby against Argentina in Hamilton. His career soared after being drafted to the Crusaders for their 2004 Rebel Sport Super 12 campaign, after a three match stint with the Blues in 2003. He was on loan to Northland from Auckland for the 2003 Air New Zealand NPC. He attended the same school, Kelston Boys’ High, as Malili Muliaina, Sam Tuitupou and Kees Meeuws. All Blacks coach Graham Henry is also a former headmaster of Kelston Boys’. |
Sam Tuitupou
Position: Second Five-Eighths Represented New Zealand through all of the age groups before making his full senior debut for Auckland in 2002. Once trialled for the Canberra Raiders professional rugby league team in a pre-season game against the Warriors. Was offered a contract after that trial but chose to stay with union. Captained the New Zealand Under-19 team to the World Junior Championship title in Chile in 2001, then led the New Zealand Under-21s to victory in last year's World Cup in England. Played fullback when he was younger but now specialises as a second-five eighths where he is a regular for Auckland and the Blues. Was troubled by a cracked shoulder blade during the latter stages of last year's Super 12 but returned to top form to help Auckland defend its Air New Zealand NPC title. After a successful junior career where he won world titles at Under-19 and Under-21 level, Sam Tuitupou has quickly replicated that success in senior ranks. His All Blacks call up comes after Tuitupou featured in two Air New Zealand NPC titles with Auckland and a Super 12 championship with the Blues. A fearsome tackler in the midfield, Tuitupou's power belies his diminutive stature which has often led opponents into mistakenly underestimating him. He is also a strong ball carrier and invariably breaks the advantage line from first phase. |
Tana Umanga
Position: Center Began his Test career as a winger but has made the Centre position his own. Is a former junior international at rugby league. His elder brother Mike played rugby professionally in England and also represented Manu Samoa. The pair opposed each other in a Test match in 1999. Jonathan Falefasa Umaga, 'Ooh Aaah' to his mates but better known to us all as Tana, started the year just five games short of raising 50 Test caps. The Hurricanes skipper is acknowledged as one of the hardest tacklers in the game and made a successful transition to a Test centre at the end of 2000 after playing his first 18 Tests on the wing. Umaga was even tried as a second five-eighth in the Test against Wales last year and continued in this role for the Hurricanes in 2003. Although he is more of a provider than predator now, Umaga remains one of the most feared attackers in international rugby. His favourite movie is Remember the Titans and he says that his favourite actors are his kids! |
Ali Williams
Position: Lock An athletic lock with fine ball skills, Williams has had a meteoric rise in the game of rugby - a game he only took up in his later high school years. A past Auckland age group representative in soccer, tennis and cricket, he spent time with the Auckland Rugby Academy before making his provincial debut in 2001. He was then picked for the Blues in 2002 playing four matches in his debut year. He was picked for the All Blacks for their 2002 tour of England, France and Wales and was one of the success stories competing against his more experienced rivals on the tour. He earned the admiration of England skipper Martin Johnson who presented the young Aucklander with his Test jersey after the Test at Twickenham. Wiliams was a first-choice lock for the All Blacks in 2003 and was called into the 2004 squad as back-up. |
Tony Woodcock
Position: Prop Is a product of the New Zealand age-group system having spent a year in the Under-16s, two years in the New Zealand Under-19 side and three with the New Zealand Under-21s. Is one of six members of New Zealand's Junior World Cup winning Under-19 side from Wales in 1999 to make the All Blacks - alongside Jerry Collins, Aaron Mauger, Richard McCaw, Malili Muliaina and Bradley Mika. Was first capped by North Harbour at NPC level in 2001 when he made 13 appearances as Harbour reached qualified for the semi-finals in second position. Joined a select group (which also includes McCaw, Mauger, Mika and Daniel Braid) when he was selected for the All Blacks having also played for New Zealand Under-21 in the same season. A real up and comer, Tony Woodcock had long loomed as an potential international after making the New Zealand Under-21 side for three straight years. That potential was possibly realised a little earlier than expected when Woodcock was selected for the All Blacks 2002 tour where he debuted against Wales. The North Harbour prop has put that experience to good use performing soundly in both Air New Zealand NPC and Rebel Sport Super 12 over the last two seasons. |
Head here for a look at the 2004 European Tour Squad. |
