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Last Updated: Friday, 24 June, 2005, 12:33 GMT 13:33 UK
Lions v All Blacks head-to-heads
After all the build-up and preparation, the eagerly-anticipated Test series between the Lions and New Zealand starts in Christchurch on Saturday.

The Lions go into the game with five wins out of their six tour games but they have yet to find the form needed at Test level.

The All Blacks have only had one game so far this season and that saw them demolish Fiji 91-0 in a game that was nowhere near the intensity that the players will experience.

Here, BBC Sport looks at the 15 battles that will decide the outcome of the match.

NEW ZEALAND
Leon Macdonald
Leon Macdonald
Full-back
Forces his way in ahead of Mils Muliaina through his versality and kicking expertise. Back to make his mark after playing in Japan.

Doug Howlett
Doug Howlett
Wing
The younger wings may be closing up on him, but not enough to unsettle the wiley old dog from the All Blacks starting XV.

Tana Umaga
Tana Umaga
Outside centre
There were suggestions he would start at inside centre but his experience should do the honours at outside centre.

Aaron Mauger
Aaron Mauger
Inside centre
Like his opposite number, boasts an impressive kicking game and also is touted for his intelligent angles of running.

Sitiveni Sivivatu
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Wing
Little-known by the Lions but has burst onto the Super 12 scene in style - well, enough to keep out the omni-try-scoring Joe Rokocoko.

Daniel Carter
Daniel Carter
Fly-half
The lynchpin of the All Blacks and one of the most talented players in world rugby today. Kicks, runs and is coolness personified.

Justin Marshall
Justin Marshall
Scrum-half
Had his doubters but Graham Henry wasn't among them. Will be keen to shine on his swansong and has the experience to do so.

Tony Woodcock
Tony Woodcock
Loose-head prop
He came into his own in the 45-6 win over France last November and the 118kg brute should be there for some time.

Keven Mealamu
Keven Mealamu
Hooker
Anton Oliver's loss is Mealamu's gain. The sprightly runner, though, may only have one game to prove himself if Oliver returns.

Carl Hayman
Carl Hayman
Tight-head prop
The 1,000th All Black has become one of the most feared and respected props in world rugby and should cause the odd headache.

Chris Jack
Chris Jack
Lock
Got into the game courtesy of his older brothers but has far exceeded them in stature, on the field and in height - he's 6ft 7ins.

Ali Williams
Ali Williams
Lock
He's not played much of late after a six-week ban for stamping on team-mate Richie McCaw. Remains a solid, athletic line-out jumper.

Jerry Collins
Jerry Collins
Blind-side flanker
He's a big, bulldozing force as a back-row forward. Simply put, get in his way and you'll pretty soon know about it.

Richie McCaw
Richie McCaw
Open-side flanker
Almost threw the country into panic with fears that he might not be fit for the game, such is his importance for the All Blacks.

Rodney So'oialo
Rodney So'oialo
Number eight
A talented ball carrier, few sights are more awesome than him on the move with his flowing dreadlocks in tow. Will be a key Lions target.

Graham Henry
Graham Henry
Head coach
He knows all about Lions tours, having coached them in 2001. Will be a test to see how he's rallied his talented troops.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Jason Robinson
Jason Robinson
Full-back
This explosive runner has fizzled out a little of late, struggling to hit full throttle either in the Six Nations or on this tour to date.

Josh Lewsey
Josh Lewsey
Wing
The one English selection not even the staunchest Welsh fan could object to. Has been one of the form men of the tour.

Brian O'Driscoll
Brian O'Driscoll
Outside centre
The Lions "captain fantastic" has been decidedly muted on New Zealand's pitches, but his potential is too much to resist.

Jonny Wilkinson
Jonny Wilkinson
Inside centre
The most contentious selection. Has rarely played inside centre and has showed a lack of match sharpness. But class is permanent.

Gareth Thomas
Gareth Thomas
Wing
One of the most popular men in the squad, his defensive work and intelligent running-kicking combos should cause New Zealand problems.

Stephen Jones
Stephen Jones
Fly-half
Came to life in this season's Six Nations, kicking and running with equal aplomb and superbly marshalling the exciting runners around him.

Dwayne Peel
Dwayne Peel
Scrum-half
There were few doubts over who would get the number nine shirt after his form on tour. Is exciting in every aspect of his game.

Gethin Jenkins
Gethin Jenkins
Loose-head prop
The Wales prop is superb in the set pieces and has deceptively quick pace on the break - just ask Wellington's defenders.

Shane Byrne
Shane Byrne
Hooker
The mulleted one was just behind Steve Thompson when they landed in New Zealand. His line-out throwing has nudged him clear.

Julian White
Julian White
Tight-head prop
Some call him the best scrummager in the world. His explosiveness in the set pieces is enough in its own right for his selection.

Paul O'Connell
Paul O'Connell
Lock
Quietly gets on with his business and almost never gets criticised. You sometimes forget where he plays, such is his all-round prowess.

Ben Kay
Ben Kay
Lock
He and Danny Grewcock we're neck-and-neck to be second lock. May not have had a good season, but Woodward rates him.

Richard Hill
Richard Hill
Blind-side flanker
During Woodward's England tenure was the man that never let his coach down. He's perhaps not quite back to his best... yet.

Neil Back
Neil Back
Open-side flanker
At 36, he's the oldest Lion and has the guile needed. Was sympathetic to Martyn Williams, the player he edged out.

Martin Corry
Martin Corry
Number eight
He's not a ball carrier in the manner of replacement Ryan Jones but his leadership qualities seem to have got him the nod.

Sir Clive Woodward
Sir Clive Woodward
Head coach
World Cup winner says it all. But the knives are out, particularly in Wales, where his team selection has been heavily criticised.




SEE ALSO
Lions backed to handle pressure
23 Jun 05 |  Lions in NZ
Defiant Woodward backs Test picks
22 Jun 05 |  Lions in NZ
NZ recall Marshall to face Lions
21 Jun 05 |  Lions in NZ
Pick your Lions XV
24 May 05 |  Lions in NZ
Lions tour venue guides
18 May 05 |  Lions in NZ
Early history of the Lions
18 May 05 |  Lions in NZ
Fixture list for Lions tour to NZ
08 Apr 05 |  Lions in NZ
Lions player profiles
25 May 05 |  Lions in NZ
All Blacks player profiles
25 May 05 |  Lions in NZ


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