The top 10 shootout

BY MARK HINTON, ON TOUR WITH THE ALL BLACKS

AS HE considered his verdict on Dan Carter's errant Cardiff tackle, the IRB's London judicial officer held, at the tip of his gavel, the ability to deny the rugby world the match-up purists still thirst for.

But surely Judge Jeff Blackett's ruling was only ever going to go one way. A one-week ban, next stop Twickers.

Need we really have held our breath? In New Zealand? In England? And quite possibly points in between?

Need we have fretted that bad luck was again going to rob us of the chance to see the most influential No10s of the modern era pit their skills in the same arena?

Remarkably, in the not inconsiderable international careers of New Zealand's Carter – considered the planet's best player – and England's Jonny Wilkinson (who has reinvented himself and his game with a transfer to Tana Umaga territory in Toulon), these two driven, gifted and spectacularly effective leftfooters have gone head-to-head in the No10 jersey precisely once. Yes, once.

It does not seem possible.

The 27-year-old Carter, in his 64 tests, has met England seven times and the British and Irish Lions twice. Wilkinson, 30, has 71 caps for his country and has crossed paths with the black jersey intermittently. But look it up. The only time they've gone head to head as No10s was in Wellington in the second test of the controversial 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand – and that ended in a resounding knockout victory for Carter.

Wilkinson had played second five in the opener, an ill-fated experiment from the mad professor, Clive Woodward. In the second test, he was restored to his rightful position, but scored just eight points and was pulled with 20 minutes left.

Meanwhile, Carter contributed 33 points in a 48-18 win in a defining performance.

That night the baton, held by Wilkinson after he had guided England to the 2003 world cup, passed from the Pom to the Kiwi.

It has stayed in the New Zealander's firm grip ever since.

And now, thanks to Blackett's lenient ruling, we seem set to finally see these two "perfect" 10s go at it again.

Providing Wilkinson comes through the overnight clash against the Pumas (and given his spotted record of injury, you wouldn't start printing the posters just yet), we will see, with apologies to Matt Giteau, world rugby's best impresarios in a mouth-watering match-up.

Put it this way, don't expect the salivating Fleet St wordsmiths to veer too far from a fairly predictable storyline this week as they preview the All Blacks' latest visit to Twickenham. It will be the Dan and Jonny Show.

And it might just live up to its hype.

Carter is creeping back to his best form after a remarkable recovery from his Achilles tendon rupture. Wilkinson has found Toulon a tonic. His England return, after 18 months in the injury wilderness, began spectacularly in a 9-18 defeat to Australia. Despite the result, he was hailed as a hero.

Jonny was back.

"He's had his injury problems hasn't he," notes All Blacks great and Star-Times columnist Grant Fox. "He's basically been too brave for his own good and ended up spending more time on the sidelines than playing."

But Fox is not surprised to see the suddenly injury-free Wilkinson back as the centrepiece of England's game under Martin Johnson.

"It's a reversion to type isn't it," says Fox. "England is searching for a formula and it's back to the future. That's how it sees the way ahead.

"And Jonny fits the bill perfectly. He'll steer them round the park, he'll kick the goals. He's always been an outstanding defender, and what he's also good at is promoting players around him."

There was one moment against the Wallabies when you truly believed. He chipped, jinked round the defender, regathered and flicked an offload to Paul Hodgson that deserved so much more than the recipient delivered.

"They searched for someone while Jonny was injured, but never really found that person," adds Fox. "It's a little bit like us with Daniel, isn't it? Daniel is head and shoulders above anything else we've got – and that's not being critical of the other five-eighths. It's just a compliment to Daniel."

Italy and ex-Boks coach Nick Mallett admires Wilkinson but bows at the altar of Carter. "He's streets ahead of every flyhalf in the world and if he's 100% fit, there's nothing he can't do. He's got the perfect kicking game, he's a great defender, is very aggressive with ball in hand, is a deadly goalkicker and, most importantly, when he plays, a lot of the All Blacks play well around him."

Mallett's appraisal of Wilkinson is less flattering. "He's trying to fight his way back into international rugby again, and is trying to develop his attacking game, which I don't think is at the same level as Dan's."

But Wilkinson has his supporters, and those who know him well say they've never seen him so measured, so relaxed, as now. He's the form No10 in France by some way.

Former England team-mate Mike Catt, who was on the world-cup-winning side with Wilkinson, calls him a "freak of nature" and marvels at his successful return. "Wilkinson was phenomenal. He defended and played as well as he has ever done."

Fox says their similarities extend beyond the left boot they both use so effectively.

"They're both very good tactical minds, real sharp-shooters, and they defend well. Daniel may have a slight edge in ball-in-hand stuff and he has age on his side.

"Both of these guys have the ability to make a real difference, and sometimes it can be the difference between winning and losing."

Carter has had the better supporting cast, as well as the better luck with injuries. The Kiwi is also a more dangerous running threat, as evidenced by his 25 test tries, compared to Wilkinson's seven.

Both are superboots, though Carter is verging on perfection these days and may even have left his rival in the shade.

But what can't be questioned is Wilkinson's courage. He has always held a flagrant disregard for his own wellbeing, which may well be called on again at Twickenham.

Carter and his well-rested first-string All Blacks team-mates will be in no mood to take prisoners. England's hero will be in their sights.

- © Fairfax NZ News