Poll: Were the right first-fives selected?

Beauden Barrett, Lima Sopoaga, Dan Carter and Colin Slade. Photo / Getty

It was Daniel Carter v Lima Sopoaga according to selector Grant Fox, himself one of the finest No. 10s in All Blacks history.

First five-eighths, once the stronghold of All Black rugby, appears the most contentious debating point of the 31-man squad to defend the Webb Ellis Cup.

According to Fox, Colin Slade and Beauden Barrett are primary No. 10s with essential utility value, leaving the legendary Carter fighting for his squad place against the rising Sopoaga.
But that's how the selectors saw the first five-eighths puzzle. Who would you have left behind amongst the four top choices.

Daniel Carter
It appears the selectors were considering one of the most dramatic World Cup calls ever by leaving Carter behind because of his insipid form and Sopoaga's excellent debut in the Johannesburg cauldron. The Bledisloe saved him. Excellent restarts and still probably the safest goalkicker.

Lima Sopoaga
Quickly becoming the crowd favourite. A lack of experience counts against him but he is a rarity these days - a back with star quality who has clung on through the school of hard knocks. And that steel showed through when he was plonked from a great height on to Ellis Park.

Colin Slade
The All Blacks trust his goalkicking and he's battled on as a nearly man without the star quality of Carter, Barrett and the injured Aaron Cruden. Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder certainly gave his vote to Slade over Carter at No. 10 this year.

Beauden Barrett
A test reserve specialist although he runs hot and cold off the bench. Wonderful attacker on his day, skips through gaps like a spring lamb. Versatility has affected his image as a pure No. 10 though. His goalkicking lacks authority and that is the big issue.