24 years in 140 characters: Champions in 87, chumpions since. Campo struck in 91, dodgy sandwiches did it in 95, France went mad in 99 and 07 and Wallabies won in 03
Record in 2011: P5 W3 L2
World Cup record:
1987: Winners
1991: Semi-finals (3rd)
1995: Runners-up
1999: Semi-finals (4th)
2003: Semi-finals (3rd)
2007: Quarter-finals
Coach: Graham Henry
Captain: Richie McCaw
The last time they hosted the World Cup they were head and shoulders above all others, and nothing has really happened in 24 years to undermine their position as the best. Except, as they are reminded every nanosecond by their inferiors, they haven't won the Webb Ellis Cup since 1987. The fact weighs heavily on them. They have no weaknesses in any position, but could they afford to lose Dan Carter? They will be better than everybody in all aspects of athleticism and technique, but will it be enough? When the All Blacks crack up mentally it tends to make a mess. Of course, it won't happen this time. Couldn't possibly …
Key player: Dan Carter. The game's leading points-scorer strolls through his games, avoiding trouble by kicking or shipping on unpromising ball to others, until he sees a chance and glides into attack mode. That matter of avoidance is all-important because a Carter collared could be a World Cup wasted, and an entire land mass could vanish.
Commentator's kit: Fly-half Carter is the face of Jockey underpants in New Zealand. In March this year, he launched a search for 15 girls and boys, aged between seven and 12, to become official 'Jockey Juniors'.
Squad
John Afoa, prop, age 27, caps 33
Ben Franks, prop, age 27, caps 11
Owen Franks, prop, age 23, caps 23
Tony Woodcock, prop, age 30, caps 75
Corey Flynn, hooker, age 30, caps 14
Andrew Hore, hooker, age 32, caps 54
Keven Mealamu, hooker, age 32, caps 85
Anthony Boric, second-row, age 27, caps 19
Brad Thorn, second-row, age 36, caps 51
Sam Whitelock, second-row, age 22, caps 17
Ali Williams, second-row, age 30, caps 65
Jerome Kaino, flanker, age 28, caps 41
Richie McCaw (c), flanker, age 30, caps 97
Adam Thomson, flanker, age 29, caps 21
Kieran Read, No8, age 25, caps 31
Victor Vito, flanker, age 24, caps 7
Jimmy Cowan, scrum-half, age 29, caps 47
Andy Ellis, scrum-half, age 27, caps 20
Piri Weepu, scrum-half, age 28, caps 48
Dan Carter, fly-half, age 29, caps 82
Colin Slade, fly-half, age 23, caps 5
Richard Kahui, centre, age 26, caps 12
Ma'a Nonu, centre, age 29, caps 59
Conrad Smith, centre, age 29, caps 48
Sonny Bill Williams, centre, age 26, caps 7
Israel Dagg, full-back, age 23, caps 7
Zac Guildford, wing, age 22, caps 6
Cory Jane, wing, age 28, caps 25
Mils Muliaina, age 31, caps 97
Isaia Toeava, wing, age 25, caps 31
Average age 27.5
Average caps 37.7
