Lee Stensness: It's not easy to cover for a perfect 10

Confusion reigns at first-five in the All Blacks. A wee bit of creative licence has been taken there. In light of Daniel Carter's stellar performance last week there is no confusion as to who is the number one number 10.

However, for most rugby fans there is a great deal of confusion over the pecking order from there on down.

Last night's test may have caused even more confusion.

If Aaron Mauger were fit, logic (mine) would suggest he would have deputised for Carter, given his considerable experience at first-five and that he played the final match of last year's end-of-season tour against the Barbarians there. Unfortunately for Mauger, but fortunately for the sake for intrigue, he was not available.

This provided the selectors with an opportunity to test a theory or two.

The chance to establish whether Leon MacDonald could cover first-five at test level would have been of great benefit.

If indeed he could, it would provide many options for the selectors in terms of the test 22 and touring 26-man squads.

The dead rubber third test would have been the perfect forum to conduct this experiment in, a pressure test match for sure but one where the result was not so significant.

The beauty of the current All Black squad is that there are viable options in each position, and a proven MacDonald at first-five would give them even more.

Mauger's injury initially gave Luke McAlister the chance to prove he could provide cover for first and second five-eighths as well as goal-kicking in the test 22.

However, McDonald's withdrawal thrust McAlister into a starting role as the selectors' hands were forced.

They could hardly call in Nick Evans and play him ahead of McAlister, who was already in the squad, as it would have sent the wrong message about the selectors' faith in McAlister.

McAlister, in all likelihood, was not the fourth-ranked first-five but, again, the fact that the series was already won meant the All Blacks had latitude to experiment.

And, as was the case with MacDonald, the chance to confirm the potential and versatility of McAlister has long-term benefits for the All Blacks that outweigh any short-term risks.

MacDonald, Mauger, McAlister and Evans illustrate that there are credible and exciting options at first-five despite the departure of Spencer and Mehrtens - remember them?

Oh yeah - and who could forget Daniel Carter?

- HERALD ON SUNDAY