I grew up watching the great Petone teams of the late 60's and the 70's, so you may detect a little bias here. Many of the others are great players from that era who are in danger of being forgotten

Fullback: Alan Hewson. The most extraordinarily gifted player I've ever seen. Great hands, freakishly powerful boot, pace and unparalleled flair. His defensive frailties stemmed from his physical frailty, not from a lack of technique or courage. Runners up: Cullen (of course) and Trevor Morris ... could have been a great if not hidden away, undiscovered, in Nelson until he was almost 30.

Wings: Robert Gray: St Pats/Wgtn. Considered too tall for in the early 70's to be an All Black wing! (he was about 6' 3", most of it leg). But his high-stepping made him difficult (and dangerous) to tackle, and those long legs gave him a huge side-step and an amazing centering kick. Remember those? Grant Batty: Uni/MSP/Wgtn/NZ. First saw him in the first 7's game I ever saw. Touched the ball 7 times, scored 7 times. Like watching 7 blind men trying to catch a blowfly. Amazing. Runners up: Jonah (natch) and Joe Roc.

Center: Ma'a Nonu: Yes, he has his faults (much exaggerated), but there's no-one I'd rather see on one of his good days. Runners up: Geoff Skipper, Jimmy Brown, Ian May, Brian Heggarty... Petone greats, and you don't get greater than that!

2nd 5: Richard Cleland: Petone/Wgtn. Only a serious lack of pace kept him from going all the way (that and playing his worst ever game at his only AB trial). Powerful and elusive runner, great kicking/passing game, the rugby brain that Mauger is reputed to have but doesn't, brutal defender, and never-miss goalkicker. Runners up: Mike Gibson (Ire) and Tana.

1st 5: Andrew Mehrtens: Still the best. Dan's getting there, but he's gotta do it longer and more often. RU's: Dan, Barry John, John Dougan, Murray Blandford (Petone)

Halfback: Ian Stevens: As a 19-22 year old was an absolute genius. After he bulked up, was never the same. Petone should have gelded him at 21. RU's: Lynn Davis, Hepa Paewai (H Bay).

No 8: Andy Leslie: Pure class. RU's: Walter Spanghero, Mervyn Davies, Zinzan.

No 7: Graham Williams: Wgtn/NZ. Considered too small even back then. But a great player in the George Smith/ Phil Waugh mold. But better. Tough. Fast. Smart. Destructive. Skillful. If he'd gone to SA in 1970 that series would have been won. Could dominate a game. RU's: Richie, Bruce Hurley & Trevor Morgan (Petone)

No 6: Jerry Collins: Redefined the position. RU's: Tom Lister, Pat Lee (Petone)

Locks: Frik Du Preez Sth Africa: SA's Colin Meads, but a much more complete player. RU's: Peter Whiting, Kamo.

Props: (don't remember who was tight or loose back then): Keith Murdoch and Ken Gray. Two old school strongmen...their strength and toughness came naturally. RUs: Hayman, Al Keown, Grant Campbell and his little brother Wotzizname (Petone).

Hooker: Kevin Mealamu: Can't remember anyone better. (Wingers used to throw into the lineout back in the day, so I'm not factoring that). RU's: Keith Wood, Kevin Horan (MSP/Wgtn), Terry McCashin (for the beer. Thanks Terry)

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