New Zealand Player Biographies

Following are brief biographies of the New Zealand World Cup squad:

JOHN HART (coach). Ran the all-conquering Auckland provincial side from 1982 to 1987 and coached the side to 78 wins in 90 matches. Assistant to Alex Wyllie at the 1991 World Cup and took over the top job after Lawrie Mains retired following the 1995 tournament. Since then, the All Blacks have won 27 matches, drawn one and lost seven. Played scrumhalf for Auckland in 1967 and 1968 and played a season for Taranaki in 1969. Worked for one of New Zealand's largest companies, Fletcher Challenge, becoming a senior executive in charge of employee relations before forming his own consultancy in 1995.

JEFF WILSON. Fullback/wing. Age 25. Height 1.84m. Weight 90 kg. Caps: 48. The 1997 and 1998 New Zealand player of the year and the current vice-captain. Switched from wing to fullback for the Otago Highlanders and relished the extra freedom, whether launching counter-attacks or fielding high kicks. Still growing in stature, he is the second highest New Zealand test try scorer with 33. Also played international cricket.

JONAH LOMU. Wing. Age 24. 1.96m. 118kg. Caps: 32. A giant with real pace once he gets into his stride. Became the world's most famous rugby player in the 1995 World Cup, when he trampled over England's hopes in the semifinals, scoring four tries. Since then illness and injury have halted his progress, as have swarming defensive patterns devised for him. Has scored 17 tries.

CHRISTIAN CULLEN. Wing/fullback. Age 23. 1.79m. 82kg. Caps: 35. Arguably the best attacking player in the game, with great balance, awesome acceleration and the ability to side-step off either foot. With 30 tries, has a strike rate unmatched in All Black history.

TANA UMAGA. Wing. Age 26. 1.88m. 100kg. Caps: 12. People's favourite, knocked Lomu out of the starting line-up in 1999 and has scored 10 tries in his dozen games. Relies on power rather than finesse. Solid in defence. Plays on either wing but prefers the left.

ALAMA IEREMIA. Centre. Age 28. 1.87m, 100kg. Caps: 19. Injuries have limited his appearances but he showed he is still a top-class player in the latter matches of the Wellington Hurricanes' Super 12 season. Mixes powerful defence with bustling attack and retains possession well in the tackle. Played four tests for Samoa.

DARYL GIBSON. Centre. Age 24. 1.81m, 97kg. Caps: six. In outstanding form for the Canterbury Crusaders in 1999. Able to play in any backline position bar flyhalf but has cemented his place in midfield. Immense speed and strength and a keen eye for the gap.

GLEN OSBORNE. Centre/wing/fullback. Age 28. 1.83m, 89kg. Caps: 15. Elegant runner who seems to glide across the turf without effort. His sense of humour earned him the tag of the squad's clown prince. Blessed with a good rugby brain, he has deservedly won back a place two years after playing his last test. Switched to centre this season for North Harbour.

PITA ALATINI. Centre. Age 23. 1.79m. 90kg. Caps: One. A powerful runner, turned down the chance to play for his native Tonga. Made the New Zealand A side in 1998 and, after John Leslie moved to Scotland, slotted into the Otago Highlanders midfield this year with success. Renowned big hitter, has plenty of stamina and a big side-step.

ANDREW MEHRTENS. Flyhalf. Age 26. 1.78m. 84kg. Caps: 34. Fine kicker. On the brink of 500 test points with 7 tries, 87 conversions and 95 penalties. Has responded in the best possible way to his doubters following injury and loss of form, rediscovering his kicking finesse. His combination with scrumhalf Justin Marshall was instrumental in the Canterbury Crusaders' successful season.

CARLOS SPENCER. Flyhalf. Age 23. 1.84m. 95kg. Caps: 12. Has scored 156 test points (five tries, 34 conversions, 21 penalties. After starring for Auckland, forced his way into the All Blacks in 1997 when he picked up 33 points in the thrashing of Argentina. Seen as a fine runner but without Mehrtens' kicking accuracy. Lost form in 1998 but his versatility as a utility player led to his recall.

TONY BROWN. 24. Flyhalf. Age 24. 1.79m. 80kg. Caps: 5. Touted as the next All Black number 10 after establishing a new points-in-a-match and points-in-a-season record for Otago in 1998. Won the Tom French Cup for Outstanding Maori player of the year. Has a strong defence and is a good organiser in attack.

JUSTIN MARSHALL. Scrumhalf. Age 26. 1.79m. 95kg. Caps: 34. Most capped All Black scrumhalf and one of the premier exponents in world rugby. Bounced back from injury and silenced the doubters with a superb Super 12, helping the Canterbury Crusaders to the title. Abrasive, with a long pass although some question his hand speed.

BYRON KELLEHER. Scrumhalf. Age 22. 1.83m, 95kg. Caps: Three. Breathtaking rise as a top-class number nine. Solid and fast, wears his heart on his sleeve when he plays for Otago, with an aggressive, in-your-face attitude.

RHYS DUGGAN. Scrumhalf. Age 27. 1.75m. 75kg. Uncapped. Player who has been on the verge of All Black honours for a number of seasons. Had a good Super 12 with the Waikato Chiefs, playing behind a struggling pack. Third choice scrumhalf.

TAINE RANDELL (captain). Number eight. Age 24. 1.87m. 101kg. Caps: 25. Despite mixed form early this season for Otago, rediscovered his game and was again named captain. He has vision, immense ability and heart. His defence is up there with the best of contemporary loose forwards and his try-scoring strike rate of 10 is difficult to beat. His captaincy will be pivotal to the campaign.

DYLAN MIKA. Number eight/flanker. Age 27. 1.94m. 108kg. Caps: five. Great Super 12 form for the Waikato Chiefs earned him his call-up at the beginning of the international season. Represented Western Samoa at test level. Great speed to the breakdown. Has been compared to the legendary Michael Jones.

JOSH KRONFELD. Flanker. Age 28. 1.84m. 102kg. Caps: 42. Arguably the world's best openside, his ability to secure valuable possession at breakdowns was tested early this season as he struggled to adapt to the new rules. A star of the 1995 World Cup in tandem with Jonah Lomu, is expected again to be a pivotal figure in the 1999 edition.

ANDREW BLOWERS. Flanker. Age 24. 1.93m. 110kg. Caps: 10. Had an outstanding season in the Super 12 with the erratic Wellington Hurricanes, who drafted him from the Auckland Blues. His trump cards are his defence, pace and support play. A former Samoan representative.

SCOTT ROBERTSON. Flanker. Age 25. 1.90m. 107kg. Caps: Three. One of the players to stand out in this season's Super 12, winning the title with the Canterbury Crusaders. Sidelined through injury during the recent Tri-Nations. Impressed immediately when making his debut in 1998 as New Zealand lurched from one crisis to another.

REUBEN THORNE. Flanker/lock. Age 24. 1.92m. 106kg. Caps: One. Busy player equally at home in the tight or loose. Starred for the Canterbury Crusaders in their 1998 and 1999 Super 12 winning teams. Also excellent in the lineout.

ROBIN BROOKE. Lock. Age 32. 1.97m. 112kg. Caps: 57. Named Auckland Blues' captain this year but the team struggled with virtually a new pack. Holds his test place at the front of the lineout ahead of Royce Willis.

IAN JONES. Lock. Age 32. 1.98m. 103kg. Caps: 77. Second most capped All Black of all time. Dropped in 1999 but superb form for North Harbour put him back in the frame again. Superb lineout exponent. Made his debut in 1990 against Scotland.

NORM MAXWELL. Lock. Age 23. 1.98m. 100kg. Caps: 6. Fine Super 12 season with the Canterbury Crusaders, selected by the All Blacks ahead of Ian Jones. One of the new breed of multi-skilled tight forwards who gets involved in all facets of play. Scored on debut against Western Samoa.

ROYCE WILLIS. Lock. Age 24. 1.97m. 120kg. Caps: Six. Seen as the leader of a new generation of All Black locks. Made his debut during the disastrous 1998 season, running on against South Africa in Durban in only his 10th first-class game. Injury forced the Waikato player out of the reckoning until 1999.

CARL HOEFT. Prop. Age 24. 1.83m. 114kg. Caps: nine. Made his debut during 1998 and immediately looked at home. Got his chance at the expense of Craig Dowd and looks as if he has made the loosehead job his own -- as long as he can steer clear of injury.

KEES MEEUWS. Prop. Age 25. 1.83m. 117kg. Caps: seven. Part of the Otago Highlanders and All Black front row. Tighthead with a strong personality. His front-row partnership with Anton Oliver and Karl Hoeft looks like surviving for years.

CRAIG DOWD. Prop. Age 29. 1.89m. 115kg. Caps: 48. Back after fell out of favour following injury. A member of the legendary ever-present front row with Olo Brown and Sean Fitzpatrick. Lost his place to Carl Hoeft in 1998, but an injury to Hoeft opened the door for his return this year.

GREG FEEK. Prop. Age 24. 1.84m, 110kg. Caps: Three. Gained selection after playing an important part in the Canterbury Crusaders' Super 12 victory. Can switch to hooker if necessary.

ANTON OLIVER. Hooker. Age 24. 1.85m. 113kg. Caps: 14. Son of former All Black Frank Oliver, has made remarkable progress, stamping his mark on the number two jersey since former captain Sean Fitzpatrick retired.

MARK HAMMETT. Hooker. Age 27. 1.82m, 104kg. Caps: two. Became Anton Oliver's reserve in 1998 and has continued to improve this season.

Reuters contributed to this report.