All Blacks name oldest and most experienced XV in history

The All Blacks squad named for the Wallabies is the oldest New Zealand test team by average age, and also surpasses the Springboks side of 2010 with the most starting caps of any team in history.

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In 477 All Blacks tests, the named side this weekend boasts 766 caps, more than any other such team in history – and overtaking the Springboks team that played against Australia in Bloemfontein last year.

Captain Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina will extend their records as the most capped All Blacks forward and back respectively, turning out for their 97th test match, while Keven Mealamu will play his 84th, and Dan Carter his 82nd.

Sean Fitzpatrick (92 tests) is the only inactive member of the current 'top five' most capped All Blacks of all time.

The combined age of the starting team also breaks the record, set at 433, surpassing the previous record notched by England in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, which was a collective 423.

Ironically All Blacks coach Graham Henry also wielded the youngest All Blacks test team in history, back in 2004 when he began his tenure.

He believed – as has been pinpointed as part of successful World Cup winning teams – that often the best players were the most experienced.

"I think you have to have a nucleus of experience in the team," Henry said.

"You pick the best players but usually that correlates to their age."

The All Blacks starting team has an average age of 28, with lock Brad Thorn the oldest player at 36, while the junior of the team is Owen Franks at 23.

Oldest All Blacks starting XV, v Australia at Auckland, August 6, 2011
Mils Muliaina (31), Sitiveni Sivivatu (29), Conrad Smith (29), Ma'a Nonu (29), Hosea Gear (27), Dan Carter (29), Piri Weepu (27), Kieran Read (25), Richie McCaw (30), Jerome Kaino (28), Ali Williams (30), Brad Thorn (36), Owen Franks (23), Keven Mealamu (32), Wyatt Crockett (28).

Previous oldest starting XV, v Australia at Wellington, August 28, 1982
Allan Hewson (28), Stu Wilson (28), Bernie Fraser (29), Steve Pokere (24), Mark Taylor (31), Wayne Smith (25), Dave Loveridge (30), Murray Mexted (28), Graham Mourie (29), Mark Shaw (26), Graeme Higginson (27), Andy Haden (31), Gary Knight (31), Andy Dalton (30), John Ashworth (32)