10.  Fly-half

Daniel Carter

 

New Zealand's production line of outstanding fly-halfs might not quite match what used to be called the Welsh fly-half factory, which encompassed a number of elite players in the number 10 jersey like Cliff Morgan, Phil Bennett and Barry John.  Yet there have been many fine fly-halfs in the All Blacks sides, especially in modern times when there have been the likes of Andrew Mehrtens and Carlos Spencer.

For me there is little argument though, that the greatest of all, has been Daniel Carter, who over the past eight or so years has made the position his own.  Where most other fly-halfs, even the best of them, have a weakness or two, tackling perhaps being the most obvious, Carter has been near faultless in every department.  He can attack, make a break, kick tactically and accurately at goal and be brave and unyielding on defence.  He generally controls a game superbly by nearly always taking the right options.  He is naturally a left footed kicker, though he can when forced to do so, use his right.  He does this so effectively, that in his early career one television commentator assumed that was his preference.  It is another measure of Carter's football quality that he has shown repeatedly his ability to play with almost equal effectiveness in other positions, particularly the midfield.  In his early seasons with the All Blacks, with players like Mehrtens and Spencer available, most of his matches were at inside centre.  For me his overall play keeps him well in front of his rivals.