McCaw at the

15. Christian Cullen (Horowhenua-Ka¯ piti) – born, Paraparaumu; last school, Ka¯ piti College. All Blacks tests: 58 (1996-2002).

Cullen’s devastating step and an ability to change direction while maintaining his naturally tremendous pace cut international defences to pieces during his six-year stint with the All Blacks.

The Paekakariki Express was a master of running angles from fullback, and he played for Horowhenua-Ka¯ piti in 1994 before representing the Hurricanes in Super Rugby from

1996-2003, while appearing for Manawatu¯ , the defunct Central Vikings and Wellington in the national provincial championship.

14. Hosea Gear (Poverty Bay) – born: Gisborne; last school, Gisborne Boys’ High. All Blacks tests: 14 (2008-12).

The younger of Gisborne’s Gear brothers, 34-year-old Hosea was still listed as an active player with French second division club Narbonne this year, but the former All Blacks winger has dropped down another level after joining Ceret Sportif as an assistant coach.

Gear, who was called up to New Zealand’s 2011 World Cupwinning squad as injury cover, played for Poverty Bay in 2002 before stints in France and Japan after appearing for the Hurricanes (2004-11) and Highlanders (2012-13). He returned for a brief spell with the Chiefs in 2015 before heading back to France.

13. Rico Gear (Poverty Bay) – born, Gisborne; last school, Gisborne Boys’ High. All Blacks tests: 19 (2004-07).

Rico, now 40, first appeared for Poverty Bay in 1997 and he later returned to finish his welltravelled career with his home province from 2014-16.

Gear’s career highlight was playing in all three tests of the 2005 Lions series when the All Blacks won 3-0. He played for six provinces (Bay of Plenty, North Harbour, Crusaders, Nelson Bays, Tasman and Canterbury) as well as Poverty Bay, while appearing for the Blues, Highlanders and Crusaders before stints in Japan and England.

12. Charlie Ngatai (Poverty Bay) – born, Gisborne; last school, Gisborne Boys’ High. All Blacks tests: 1 (2015).

Ngatai’s provincial debut was with Poverty Bay in 2008 before he shifted to Wellington and the Hurricanes from 2009.

The multi-talented midfielder joined the Chiefs in 2013 and his All Blacks debut came against Samoa in 2015 but concussion concerns from a mysterious blow suffered in 2016 sidelined him for 11 months and subsequently damaged his international aspirations, so he opted to join French club Lyon this year.

11. Zac Guildford (Wairarapa Bush) – born, Masterton; last school, Napier Boys’ High. All Blacks tests: 10 (2009-12).

Guildford returned to his roots in Wairarapa in 2016 to rebuild his shattered career after quitting the Waratahs for ‘‘wellbeing reasons’’.

The former All Blacks wing, whose elite career was littered with off-field issues, once played for the Hurricanes and Crusaders but a stint in Heartland rugby with Wairarapa Bush led to a personal revival as he joined Waikato before signing professional terms with French second division club Nevers this year.

10. Carlos Spencer (Horowhenua-Ka¯ piti) – born, Levin; last school, Waiopehu College. All Blacks tests: 35

(1997-2004).

Spencer played for HorowhenuaKa¯ piti from 1992-93 before the mercurial playmaker shifted to Auckland and the Blues and his All Blacks debut followed in 1997.

The Levin No 10, who steered the Blues to Super Rugby titles in 1996, 1997 and 2003, left for England in 2004 before a stint with the Lions in South Africa from 2010-11. He joined the Hurricanes as an assistant coach this year.

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Poverty Bay) – born, Auckland; last school, Gisborne Boys’ High. New Zealand Ma¯ ori matches: 8

(2012-15).

Gibson-Park was a Super Rugby champion with the Hurricanes in 2016 before joining Irish giants Leinster.

The former Blues halfback, who played eight matches for New Zealand Ma¯ ori from 2012-15, made Taranaki’s squad in 2012 after finishing his education at Gisborne Boys’ High and the 26-year-old remains with Leinster, the reigning European club champions.

8. Ron Cribb (Wanganui) – born, Wanganui; last school, Massey High. All Blacks tests:

15 (2000-01).

The former Crusaders and Blues No 8 was born in Wanganui before finishing his education in