Halfback great Dave Loveridge is tipping Jimmy Cowan and Alby Mathewson to wear the contentious All Blacks No 9 jersey this year but says there is ground to make up on their likely Wallabies and Springboks counterparts.
Loveridge, one of New Zealand's finest halfbacks, says Queensland Reds star Will Genia, 22, has emerged from nowhere to be the world benchmark in the position while South African veteran Fourie Du Preez continues to play at a lofty standard.
Comparatively, New Zealand standards have remained steady but nobody can match the running prowess and game management of Genia.
Two to have emerged with the sharpest running games are transplanted Blues No 9 Alby Mathewson and Crusaders livewire Kahn Fotuali'i although Loveridge believed incumbent Cowan shouldn't be dislodged for the test season starting in June.
"One who has come on this year is probably Mathewson, he's showing allround skills, which is what Genia has got," Loveridge told NZPA.
"Jimmy Cowan has been very solid and those are probably the two halfbacks standing out at this stage anyway."
The cause of three other leading contenders - Piri Weepu (Hurricanes), Brendon Leonard (Chiefs) and Andy Ellis (Crusaders) - has not been helped by injury and their recent demotions to the reserve bench.
Loveridge said the trio would be enormously frustrated and believed lack of game time would naturally count against them at the All Blacks selection table.
"Those guys are only getting 20 minutes to stamp their authority on a game and play well. It's very difficult for them, they need time on the paddock to promote themselves basically."
Mathewson's move from the Hurricanes, to escape the shadow of Weepu, has proved a winner and he could well add to his one All Blacks appearance, off the bench against Munster in 2008.
The 24-year-old is second only to Genia for most runs in this year's Super, having made 68 while the other leading New Zealand halfbacks are all in the early 30s. Genia leads for broken tackles with 37, followed by Mathewson's 25.
However, the four tries scored by Mathewson is eclipsed by Fotuali'i's five.
"He (Fotuali'i) has definitely risen this year. At Super 14 at least, not many people would have known about him and his play but his game has been up there this year, particularly his running ability," Loveridge said.
"If you look at the halfbacks making their marks, it is the halfbacks who are running like Genia, Fotuali'i and Mathewson."
Loveridge was unsure if running halfbacks would have the same room to operate at test level, with the Super 14's breakdown interpretations having promoted quick, easy possession.
His view is that the best No 9s have more than one string to their bow.
"They have to be able to pass and kick too - that's the key to halfback play, you have to be skilled at all three," said the Taranaki stalwart nicknamed "Trapper", who played 24 tests from 1978 to 1985.
"It's a matter of doing each thing at the right time and summing up situations.
"This year Genia has been a revelation from that point of view. Like the Reds team, he's on a roll and showing some really good qualities as far as I'm concerned.
"Du Preez was probably the No 1 last year and he's still performing well. They are probably the two standouts."
