The stunning recent form of the All Blacks has been recognised with 26 of their 30 man squad having been members of New Zealand’s successful Tri Nations campaign.
Hooker Corey Flynn is the only new cap in the All Black squad. The 22 year old is a former New Zealand Under 21 and Maori representative.
Reuben Thorne will lead a fearsome All Black pack on a mission to become only the second team to win the Webb Ellis Cup twice.
The back three of Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko are among the best in the world and will trouble the very best defensive unit on their day.
Notable by their absence are Anton Oliver, Taine Randell, full back Christian Cullen and veteran fly half Andrew Mehrtens.
Another high profile former star Jonah Lomu was also left out of the squad after failing to fully recover from a kidney disease.
Young flanker Daniel Braid, a team mate of Flynn in the NZ U21 side last year, will follow in the footsteps of his father Gary - a lock for the All Blacks in two Tests in the early 1980s.
The All Black squad:
Forwards: Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Jerry Collins (Wellington), Richard McCaw (Canterbury), Marty Holah (Waikato), Daniel Braid (Auckland), Reuben Thorne (Canterbury, captain), Brad Thorn (Canterbury), Ali Williams (Auckland), Chris Jack (Canterbury), Kees Meeuws (Auckland), Greg Somerville (Canterbury), Dave Hewett (Canterbury), Carl Hoeft (Otago), Mark Hammett (Canterbury), Corey Flynn (Canterbury), Keven Mealamu (Auckland).
Backs: Mils Muliaina (Auckland), Leon MacDonald (Canterbury), Ben Blair (Canterbury), Doug Howlett (Auckland), Joe Rokocoko (Auckland), Caleb Ralph (Canterbury), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Tana Umaga (Wellington, vice-captain), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Daniel Carter (Canterbury), Carlos Spencer (Auckland), Byron Kelleher (Otago), Steve Devine (Auckland), Justin Marshall (Canterbury).