Woodcock is a prop's prop with farmer's hands and thighs like a bison's behind. He has only scored nine tries in his 11-year and 106 Test All Blacks career. But one of them, against France in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, was among the most important in the country's rugby history. Off the pitch Woodcock has a dairy and sheep farm and loves hunting, particularly wild pigs. The English lion will be on the menu this weekend. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images
Best known to northern hemisphere fans for being Tana Umaga's accomplice when Brian O'Driscoll was spear-tackled in the first Test of the 2005 Lions Tour – and also headbutting Lewis Moody at Twickenham in 2010 – it is somewhat of a surprise that Mealamu is still in the hooker jersey. After a series of calf problems a recent profile in the New Zealand Herald admitted: “He has been so lightly raced this season there was an impression he was heading for the knacker's yard.” However his injuries have healed and Mealamu, another member of the All Blacks' 100-plus cap club, believes he is back near the top of his game. Away from rugby Mealamu is a hardcore NFL fan and supports the Baltimore Ravens. Photograph: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images
Until a fortnight ago, you could count the number of Test starts Owen Franks had made for the All Blacks on one hand. He was considered more of an impact player, his versatility in covering both sides of the scrum counting in his favour. But the starts against France and now England have given the weightlifting-obsessed prop – there are YouTube videos of him squatting 240kg and he also owns a gym with his brother and fellow All Black prop Ben in Christchurch – a chance to thrust his career to another level. Photograph: Matt King/Getty Images
A 6ft 8in, 19st monster of a man and a coming force: the 22-year-old Retallick has improved immensely since making his Test debut against Ireland last year. Naturally he is imposing in the lineout, but he gets around the field too. Was a member of the Chiefs team that won the Super Rugby title this year where coach Dave Rennie calls Retallick: “A world class lock with a massive work rate, imposing physical presence and quality skill set.” Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images
Whitelock is one of four brothers who are all pretty sharp at the game: his elder siblings George and Adam have played for the Crusaders as has his younger brother Luke, who also captained the 2011 Junior World Championship-winning All Blacks side and is in the current touring party. But Sam, the lanky and hirsute one, is the pick of the crop. He is agile, extremely mobile and good with the ball in his hand: perhaps it is no surprise that he played for the New Zealand U18 basketball team before choosing rugby. When he is not playing he likes going on pig-hunting expeditions. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images
Messam missed out on the All Blacks 2011 World Cup squad and injuries have inhibited his international career this year but there is no doubting his quality or power. Anyone who saw Messam's performances during the Chiefs' 2013 Super Rugby title winning season would attest to that. He won two gold medals for New Zealand's Seven's team at the Commonwealth Games in 2006 and 2010 and was strong enough to have beaten Wendell Sailor in a Fight For Life charity fight last year. Having caught the boxing bug he plans to fight again once the autumn international series finishes. Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP
McCaw will be 33 next month, yet the most capped All Black of all time and three-time winner of the international Player of the Year Award insists he has been revitalised by a six-month sabbatical earlier this year. After skiing in Canada, gambling in Las Vegas and drinking with mates in Britain, McCaw insists he still has it. For years the All Blacks captain was a breakdown scavenger without equal; however England will respect but not fear the 2013 model. In his spare time McCaw is a keen pilot and is an honorary squadron leader of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images
When Richie McCaw took a break during the first half of 2013, Read stepped up his intensity and influence. Strong in defence and thrillingly unpredictable with the ball in hand, Read is also a natural athlete: as a teenager he was a Counties and Northern Districts cricket captain and his coach believed he had the talent to eventually play for the Black Caps; he also holds the Papakura under-seven long jump record. His rugby brain stands out: he stood in for McCaw during the summer and will almost certainly replace him as captain when he finally retires. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images
Smith made his All Blacks debut against Ireland in June 2012 and has held the position ever since. He is solid rather than spectacular and many in New Zealand believe he is keeping the position warm for TJ Perenara, the Hurricanes’ impressive 21-year-old. Smith is a trained hairdresser and likes to take his clippers on tour. Recently took part in a Highlanders Facebook page promotion to win a haircut from him, during which he said: ”It is definitely easier preparing for a Test. I’m freaking out about it.” Photograph: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images
Where to start? The All Blacks playmaker and vice-captain is already the holder of the international points scoring record and highest points scorer in Super 15 history. Against England he will mark another milestone: his 100th international cap. Carter shows few signs of slowing down even if his last performance came under scrutiny: his impeccable game-reading skills, kicking, ability to break the line and marshal his defence appear as good as ever. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images
Given his size and speed, the comparisons to Jonah Lomu did not take long to be made when Savea became a junior All Black star in 2010. Blessed too, with an un-nerving step, he announced himself to the wider world on his senior Test debut by scoring a hat-trick of tries against Ireland at Auckland's Eden Park. Known for busting out the dance moves on clips posted to the internet by his team-mates. Has endured a difficult year, recently completing an anger management course and publicly apologising to his former partner after an assault charge was made against him. Photograph: Hannah Johnston/Getty Images
One of the old timers in the All Blacks squad, having made his debut against England in a 15-13 defeat four months before the 2003 Rugby World Cup, yet his line breaks and defensive hits are still powerful enough to suck breath from opponents – and the crowd. Nonu has been in and out of the New Zealand side since 2011, but the defection of Sonny Bill Williams to rugby league has given him more of a clear run. Likes to play cards and surf in his spare time. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images
Missed the 2011 Rugby World Cup but has prospered recently as a wing and, more latterly in the absence of Conrad Smith, as an outside centre. Has scored 11 tries in 11 Tests in 2013 and was named by coach Steve Hansen as the man of the series against France in the summer. Known as one of the quieter members of the touring party but hugely respected by Hansen, who calls him: “an exceptional footballer and a down-to-earth team man. He is a true professional, is constantly learning and works incredibly hard on developing his game and it has paid dividends.” Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Piutau was New Zealand U20s' leading try scorer during their 2011 Junior World Cup Championship triumph and also starred for the Sevens team that won the world series in 2011-12. Now he appears ready to step up after making his international debut against France in June following a successful season with the Auckland Blues. Known as one of the fastest men in New Zealand rugby but also has the strength – he weighs 15 stone – to mash through the line. His twitter handle @Cpiutau proclaims: “Living out a scripted life written and directed by the man above!£TeamJesus.” Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images
Dagg is strong under the high ball and excels at creating space with his runs from defence. Has has been a regular since making his debut against Ireland in 2010, and had an excellent Rugby World Cup a year later, scoring five tries. Dagg was also an outstanding fast bowler at Lindisfarne College in Napier and impressed Brett Lee with his 87mph deliveries as a 16-year-old before opting for rugby over cricket. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images
