05/09/2007

NZPA | Mils Muliaina -

And his own play at the breakdown will be hugely important, particularly with other teams continuing to voice frustrations that the world class No 7 bends the laws but is offered preferential treatment by match officials.

McCaw laughs off such claims and team management treat the complaints as compliments but it appears the All Blacks skipper will be under the microscope more than any other player throughout the seven-week tournament.

In terms of game-breakers there are few who come close to McCaw's Canterbury teammate Carter.

Whether it be controlling a game with his prodigious left boot, slicing through a gap with searing acceleration and a razor-sharp fend or simply kicking the goals that matter, Carter's value is priceless.

He is poised to have the influence of England maestro Jonny Wilkinson, so much the heartbeat of the 2003 world champions.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the All Blacks team of 2003 and the current group are Carter's presence and the enormous strides made by their scrum.

At the heart of their set piece improvements is tighthead Hayman, unquestionably the world's best scrummaging practitioner and boasting an aggressive ally in loosehead Tony Woodcock.

Scrum coach Mike Cron has created a beast that will routinely twist, buckle or squeeze the possession of even the strongest opponents while providing stable ball on New Zealand's put-in.

McCaw, Carter and Hayman were the only three players to start every Test on last November's tour of Europe.

However, they can be joined in the "must-play" category by Muliaina, a crucial influence in the three-quarter line.

At fullback Muliaina's mix of attacking nous -- whether stepping past opponents to launch a counter or throwing the last pass to a tryscorer -- mixes with a sound kicking game, accurate decision-making and precise tackling.

A crucial string to the Muliaina bow is an ability to cover his old position of centre.

Because of his proven reliability, it may well be that he dons the vexed No 13 jersey when Henry finally lays his selection cards on the table.

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