New Zealand's selectors have finalised their squad for the World Cup and handed in 30 names to the International Rugby Board. There were 29 players pencilled in last month, with Greg Somerville needing to pass a fitness test after injuring his Achilles last year and finally making his way back into top-level rugby after two operations.

Somerville will want better luck in France after he subsequently injured his eye in round one of the Air New Zealand Cup - but he will be back in time for the World Cup. The selection of the veteran of 55 Tests is great news for All Blacks supporters and for their chances in France. John Schwalger from Wellington misses out.

Reasons For Optimism: The All Blacks usually go into the World Cup as favourites and all the evidence points to them actually being capable of living up to that billing this time.

‘They have 11 players who experienced the pain of defeat at the last World Cup – they will be determined not to go through that again’


Experience: In the cauldron of World Cup finals it is important to have former captains Reuben Thorne, Jerry Collins and Anton Oliver to support Richie McCaw. There are also 11 players from their last World Cup match in 2003 against Australia. Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Doug Howlett, Leon MacDonald, Aaron Mauger, Byron Kelleher, Jerry Collins, Reuben Thorne, Richie McCaw, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville and Keven Mealamu played in that semi-final loss to Australia. They have experienced the pain and won’t want to go through it again.

Depth: The All Blacks have great depth in most positions, which is important in a tournament situation where injuries happen. They have players like Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Somerville, Keith Robinson, Chris Masoe, Brendon Leonard, Nick Evans, MacDonald, Howlett, Mauger and Conrad Smith who would all make most other international teams. The ominous sign is the players who didn’t make the squad, like Rico Gear, Ma’a Nonu, Marty Holah, Piri Weepu and Troy Flavell.

Reconditioning programme: This should reap rewards in France. It has seen the players miss plenty of games this season, but will hopefully keep them fitter than their opponents and provide them with the ability to go the distance in each game and throughout the tournament. The All Blacks will look to kick away from teams in the last quarter of their matches.

Expectation: There are huge expectations surrounding this side. There will be a four-year national mourning period if they don’t win the William Webb Ellis trophy for the first time in 20 years. The media will make sure they are under intense scrutiny and, as the the best team in the world, they are expected to win. This will pile the pressure on the All Blacks.

Possible weaknesses: We have already mentioned the strength in depth, but suspicions are rife about three positions – lock, open side flanker and centre – where the All Blacks might be found wanting. There was a locking surplus going into this season but James Ryan and Jason Eaton were both ruled out by injury, while Robinson and Ali Williams are known to be injury prone. This puts pressure on Williams, Chris Jack and Robinson as incumbents, with only Reuben Thorne as back up.

McCaw is such an amazing open side flanker that it is assumed he will stay on the field for 80 minutes, especially in the big games. Should he get injured, then his replacement is Masoe who isn’t in the same class and is more a powerhouse utility than a scavenger. This could spell trouble should the unthinkable happen and McCaw gets injured. Other options are Rodney So'ioalo or calling over Marty Holah or Daniel Braid, but they would only be flown to France if McCaw was out for the rest of the tournament.

Finally, centre is a key position and as Stirling Mortlock steamrolled Luke McAlister in Melbourne when the Wallabies beat the All Blacks, it became obvious that not just anyone can play centre. The incumbent is Isaiah Toeava who has pace and an ability to step his way through the defence. But he is inexperienced and there must be question marks over his defence and handling skills. Conrad Smith is the other option and more reliable, but he is potentially short of a run having missed most of the season with injuries. These guys will probably be fine, but against quality like Mortlock or Brian O’Driscoll they could be found out.

The All Blacks squad: Backs: Mils Muliaina, Leon MacDonald, Doug Howlett, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Isaia Toeava, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Nick Evans, Byron Kelleher, Brendon Leonard, Andrew Ellis. Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe, Richie McCaw (c), Jerry Collins, Sione Lauaki, Reuben Thorne, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Keith Robinson, Carl Hayman, Greg Somerville, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Anton Oliver, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore.