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TALENTED TRIO: There's no lack of class here but who would you really have at second five-eighths - Aaron Mauger, Ma'a Nonu or Luke McAlister?

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Three games up, three wins in the bag. The new-look 2008 All Blacks have blown away their European opposition with convincing wins over Ireland and England. While neither of the northern raiders presented a serious challenge "Ted's Troops'' may face a stiffer task if they were to square off against their own countrymen plying their trade in Europe.

With 10 of last year's World Cup squad now in the northern hemisphere it is interesting to see how our current ABs stack up against some of their former Brothers in  Black. Let's compare the last All Blacks starting 15 to the best Europe has to offer.

Fullback: Leon MacDonald v Nick Evans (Harlequins 2008-09), advantage ABs -  At 27 years old Evans is three years MacDonald's junior and has speed to burn and a booming punt. However, like a fine Marlborough wine, MacDonald is improving with age and is rock-solid on defence or under the highball.

Wings: Rudi Wulf and Sitiveni Sivivatu v Doug Howlett (Munster) and Bruce Reihana (Northampton), advantage Europe  - Wulf is new to the international scene and  Sivivatu runs hot and cold. Howlett would still be the ABs best while Reihana is a celebrity after six seasons at Northampton.

Centre: Richard Kahui v Regan King (Llanelli), advantage Europe  - Kahui did little wrong in his All Black debut and is a player on the rise but one-test wonder King has quietly turned himself into one of the world's best, voted starting centre in the 2006 World 15.

Second five-eighths: Ma'a Nonu v Luke McAlister (Sale)/Aaron Mauger (Leicester), advantage Europe  - Take your pick of NZ's 2007  number 12s but I'd take either over Mascara Ma'a.

First five-eighths: Dan Carter v David Hill (Bristol)/Carlos Spencer (Northampton)/Glen Jackson (Saracens), advantage ABs  - While his World Cup quarterfinal performance may have left a lot to be desired Carter is still the prince of pivots and ranks above quality campaigners Jackson and Spencer and Marlborough's own Hill.

Halfback: Andrew Ellis v Byron Kelleher (Toulouse), advantage Europe  - Ellis has yet to live up to last year's hype while Kelleher brings 50 caps to the table.

Number eight: Rodney So'oialo v Xavier Rush (Cardiff), advantage ABs  - Handling issues aside So'oialo has matured into a top-quality number eight. X-man was a cult hero in Auckland but gets my vote as worst All Black ever.

Openside: Richie McCaw (captain) v Marty Holah (Ospreys), advantage ABs  - McCaw is the undisputed king of the number seven jersey.

Blindside: Adam Thomson v Jerry Collins (Toulouse 2008-09), advantage Europe  - Thomson is a better sevens player, Collins is just better.

Locks: Ali Williams and  Brad Thorn v Chris Jack (Saracens) and Greg Rawlinson (Worcester), advantage ABs  - Jack is the best individual player in the quartet and at 29 is a massive loss to New Zealand but Williams and Thorn have made their mark in the Super 14 and will continue that partnership for the ABs and hopefully Tasman.

Props: Greg Somerville and Neemia Tialata v Carl Hayman (Newcastle) and Carl Hoeft (Castres Olympique), advantage Europe  - Hayman is a titan and Hoeft never took a backward step; how Otago must miss these guys. Tialata has the size but too often goes  missing while Somerville is reaching the end of a distinguished career.

Hooker: Andrew Hore v Anton Oliver (captain) (Toulon), advantage Hore  - Oliver is in the twilight of a great career while Hore hit his peak this year. With his nose for the tryline the Wellington rake has separated himself from the competition this year.

The result: Tallying up the scores we see a 6-6 tie. However, due to Oliver's superior leadership ability I give the edge to the Euros, who win the highly-anticipated match 21-20 due to a last minute drop goal.

What do make of the idea? What do you make of the matchups? Who do you think would win? Send us your thoughts on our comments system below.

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AB's fan   #6   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Aaron Mauger for second five eights and Vice Captain!!!!!!! And he can drop kick!!!!!

Poutama   #5   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

they def have the advantage at scrum half too

Poutama   #4   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Regan who? How well our euro guys do in a softer comp is no indication of how our they will stack up to our guys. I think the calibre of the latest test teams from Wales, England and France is shows how strong that comp is. We would have put a big margin on Ireland with better prep time and weather.

They seem to have us pipped at 12 and prop though.

Would be good to see the 2 best teams in the world going at it though :)

Jen   #3   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Luke McAlister for the Second five-eighths!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John   #2   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

What a load of rubbish. The problem with this article is that it pits players who are playing different styles of rugby, at different levels, against each other.

Regan King has never passed the ball in his life. Mauger was a fantastic player, but is passed his best now. Hoeft is 600 years old. Reihana has never had a sustained period at international level and is 'positionless' (is he a winger, fullback or first five?).

As for the quarterfinal, Carter was having a fantastic game before he was injured and foreced to leave the field. He set up a try, and kicked his goals. When push came to shove, Evans had been injured too (yes, he played in the quarterfinal) and we had no more first five cover (no team in the world would have had a specialist left).

Benjamin   #1   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

No RICO GEAR???

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