Considering New Zealand has a relatively small population in global terms, it's rugby team has quite astonishing strength in depth when it comes to producing top-notch international rugby union players.

That is just as well in current times as many of the leading players succumb to the lure of playing club rugby in Europe, thus forfeiting the right to wear the All Blacks jersey, since current policy dictates that foreign-based players are not picked for the national side.

The jewel in New Zealand's crown at the moment is of course Dan Carter, the outstanding fly-half who did sign to play club rugby in France but made sure it was only on a short-term deal, so that his future with the All Blacks was assured.

Carter simply has it all and that is why he remains crucial to New Zealand's cause as they work their way towards hosting the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Outstanding goalkicker he may be, but there is far more to Carter's game than that, for he is also a superb distributor of the ball, an excellent tactical kicker in open play and also has a wonderful eye for a gap.

Carter is undoubtedly the All Blacks' outstanding back and in the shape of skipper Richie McCaw, they also possess one of the game's best forwards.

Flanker McCaw is a leader par excellence, always in the thick of the action, and he follows the ball as if drawn to it by a magnet.

There are many other outstanding performers in the All Black ranks, but if New Zealand are to reclaim the trophy they believe is rightfully theirs when they host the next World Cup, it is their diamond duo who will play the most crucial roles in that quest.