Rodney So'oialo: 'Dallaglio didn't fill me up, so it's you next'
Richie McCaw's boots are pretty big to fill, but Graham Henry's chosen wisely with Rodney So'oialo, a veteran of 44 Tests. The mop haired loosie is Hollywood material with size, speed and the skill to play anywhere across the back-row.
He's no stranger to captaincy having led Wellington in the Air New Zealand NPC as well as the Hurricanes for two Super rugby campaigns to date.
For a long time, So'oialo wasn't the flavor of the month, often seen as the 'ugly duckling' on the All-Black back-row, constantly compared in a lesser light to legends of the No. 8 shirt, Murray Mextead, Buck Shelford and Zinzan Brooke, which is like arguing between Cadburys, Mars and Nestle.
Often the quiet man of the back-row, Saturday will be an emotional
occasion for the All-Blacks version of Rolling Stones drummer, Charlie
Watts.
Upon first glimpse of the CV, it's impossible to ignore the debut. A national black day heralded by the home defeat to England in 2003 - normally the kind of nightmare start that haunts you after every bad game. Not true.
Even with the Hurricane's form blowing hot and cold, his calm and relaxed persona has been an endearing trait, despite calls for a disappearance into the All-Black annals.
In line with the entire Graham Henry era, So'oialo has always had his critics, but in the 26-20 victory over South Africa in Duban last year, So'oialo finally got his five minutes of fame, justifiably named man of the match and finally shut 'em up good and proper.
Having started off as a full-back before maturing his talents on the sevens circuit, his facility to accelerate from a standing start, not to mention the adeptness to kick and bulldoze through the tackle reinforces Mexted's underlining praise, calling him the "complete footballer."
Rodders might be the real deal, but without Saint Richie on the back-row, he will be under the radar more than ever. Just how he likes it.