Ben and Owen Franks could become the first brothers to play an All Blacks rugby Test for 13 years as the selectors prepare to spring some surprises.

The Crusaders props and young Highlanders fullback Israel Dagg, likely to step into the run-on side for the injured Mils Muliaina, were the major talking points on Monday after the All Blacks' first training run for Saturday's season-opening Test against Ireland here.

It means potentially five debutants when the team is announced on Tuesday with Ben Franks, Dagg and second five-eighth Benson Stanley in the starting lineup and Sam Whitelock and Aaron Cruden on the bench.

On evidence of training at Yarrow Stadium, the Franks brothers could be preferred to incumbent props Tony Woodcock and Neemia Tialata after strong seasons for the Crusaders.

Not since Zinzan and Robin Brooke played the 26-26 draw against England at Twickenham in 1997 has a set of brothers donned the black jersey in a Test.

For loosehead Ben Franks, 26, his solitary All Blacks match was against Munster at Limerick in 2008, while tighthead Owen, 22, has nine Tests to his name and impressed on last year's tour of Europe.

The Crusaders had the best scrum of the New Zealand Super 14 sides and assistant All Blacks coach Wayne Smith hinted that may have earned the pair the nod.

"Super 14 gives those guys an opportunity at quite a high level and we're finding more and more that they can come into the environment and contribute more. A lot of that excitement rubs off onto others," Smith said.

Likely starting 15: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Benson Stanley, Joe Rokocoko, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks.

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