Thorne - All Blacks captain. (Getty Images)
REUBEN THORNE
Born: 02.01.75
Height: 6ft 3in
Weight: 16st 8lb
Position: Flanker
Club: Canterbury
Caps: 33
Points: 15
The All Blacks' captain, Thorne is also skipper of the Canterbury Super 12 side.
Unlike most of his team-mates he didn't represent in different New Zealand age groups, but has since developed into an uncompromising forward.
Has been under some pressure in New Zealand, where he is perceived to be less talented than a number of players, while there was also surprise that he is skippering the side ahead of the likes of Tana Umaga and Taine Randell, the latter who couldn't even make the All Blacks' World Cup squad.
But this World Cup gives Thorne an ideal opportunity to hit back at his critics, especially as 2003 has also seen him hold aloft the Bledisloe Cup and the Tri-Nations trophy.
Took over the All Black captaincy in 2002 when hooker Anton Oliver was injured, and his quiet and undemonstrative way of working is seen by many to be exactly what coach John Mitchell seeks in a leader.
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