HERE ARE SOME OF THE FACTS TO SHOW HOW MUCH THINGS HAVE CHANGED:

The heaviest All Blacks wing who played in 2005 was Sitiveni Sivivatu who was 98kg. The heaviest All Blacks wing who will play in 2017 is Julian Savea who is 108kg.

In one test against the Lions the All Blacks picked in their back three Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear and Sitiveni Sivivatu. Their combined weight was 284kg.

This year the All Blacks could pick Ben Smith, Julian Savea and Waisake Naholo in their back three for a combined weight of 309kg. That would be 25kg heavier – a massive 10 per cent increase.

The two locks who played against the Lions in 2005 were Ali Williams and Chris Jack. They were both 2.02m with Williams weighing 114kg and Jack 111kg for a combined weight of 225kg.

This year the two All Blacks locks will be 2.02m Sam Whitelock and 2.04m tall Brodie Retallick. Whitelock is 122kg and Retallick 123kg for a combined total of 255kg, which is a 12 per cent increase.

In 2005 the eight forwards who started the third test against the Lions weighed a combined total of 872kg. Depending on injuries, the forwards the All Blacks pick to play in the first test are likely to have a combined total weight of 940kg. They will collectively be 68kg heavier, which is an eight per cent increase.

The loose trio that started the first test against the Lions in 2005 comprised of 106kg Jerry Collins, 103kg Richie McCaw and 102kg Rodney So’oialo. Their combined weight was 311kg.

This year, depending on how the walking wounded recover, the All Blacks could have 112kg Jerome Kaino at blindside, 109kg Sam Cane at openside and 112kg Kieran Read at No 8. Their combined weight would be 333kg – a seven per cent increase.