THE REALLY BIG MEN
If there is one area of the game where the players have gone from large to super-sized it is in the front row.
In 2005 Carl Hayman, who played prop for the All Blacks, was considered, literally, one of the giants of the game. He was 1.95m and 118kg.
But this time round three props that the All Blacks will use are heavier than Hayman. Charlie Faumuina is 1.91m, but 13kg heavier than Hayman at 131kg.
Owen Franks and Joe Moody, are also heavier than Hayman – both tipping the scales at 120kg. The big difference, though, is not just size, but power.
Franks can dead lift 230kg and Faumuina and Moody aren’t so far behind. While they are heavier than Hayman, they are still relatively lean athletes. It’s also the case that few props play 80 minutes any more so they can carry more bulk knowing they are only going to be challenged aerobically for 45-60 minutes per game.
Current hooker Dane Coles, at 110kg, is 10kg heavier than Keven Mealamu who played at hooker for the All Blacks in 2005.