Peter Betham of the Rebels is tackled by Willi Heinz of the Crusaders during their Super Rugby trial match.

Luke Romano of the Crusaders breaks through a tackle during the Super Rugby trial match against the Melbourne Rebels.

Zac Guildford of the Crusaders is tackled by Stirling Mortlock of the Rebels during their Super Rugby trial match.

Luke Romano of the Crusaders breaks through a tackle during the Super Rugby trial match against the Melbourne Rebels.

Crusaders right wing Sean Maitland is knocked over by Blues fullback Isaia Toeava and flanker Jerome Kaino at Eden Park.

Crusader Adam Whitelock is surrounded by Blues players Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid, Keven Mealamu and Benson Stanley at Eden Park.

Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean is tackled by Blues halfback Alby Mathewson and Isaia Toeava at Eden Park.

Crusaders right wing Sean Maitland scores the opening try of the match against the Blues at Eden Park.

Sonny Bill Williams chats with the fans after the game against the Waratahs at Trafalgar Park.

Brad Thorn of the Crusaders is tackled by Kane Douglas of the Waratahs.

Crusaders players celebrate a try during the round three Super Rugby match against the Waratahs at Trafalgar Park.

Israel Dagg of the Crusaders passes during the round three Super Rugby match against the Waratahs at Trafalgar Park.

Fans show their support for the Crusaders at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

Crusaders Sean Maitland is caught in a Waratahs tackle late in the second half.

The Crusaders' Matt Todd clears the ball as he is caught in a Waratah's tackle.

Sonny Bill Williams of the Crusaders beats the tackle of Dave Dennis and Ben Mowen of the Waratahs at Trafalgar Park.

Crusader Tom Marshall looks to dissect the Brumbies defence during their Super Rugby match at Trafalgar Park, Nelson.

The Crusaders' Chris Jack in his 100 Super Rugby match looks for space against the Brumbies.

Israel Dagg looks to make a break for the Crusaders against the Brumbies at Trafalgar Park, Nelson.

Israel Dagg looks to make a break for the Crusaders during their match with the Brumbies at Trafalgar Park, Nelson.

Crusader Andy Ellis makes a break to set up Sean Maitland during their Super Rugby match against the Brumbies at Trafalgar Park, Nelson.

The Crusaders' Sonny Bill Williams gets some special treatment after the victory over the Brumbies in the Super Rugby.

Tony Brown of the Highlanders passes during the round five Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Crusaders at Carisbrook, Dunedin.

Nasi Manu of the Highlanders makes a break during the round five Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Crusaders at Carisbrook, Dunedin.

Zac Guildford of the Crusaders makes a break during the round five Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Crusaders at Carisbrook, Dunedin.

Matt Todd of the Crusaders tries to score during round five Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Crusaders at Carisbrook, Dunedin.

Josh Bekuhis of the Highlanders is tackled during the round five Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Crusaders at Carisbrook, Dunedin.

Crusaders winger Sean Maitland soars over to score the first of his two tries against the Sharks at Twickenham.

Zac Guildford, Robbie Fruean, Dan Carter and Andy Ellis celebrate after Carter crossed for his try against the Sharks.

Winger Sean Maitland celebrates his first try in front of the Twickenham crowd.

Sharks and Crusaders fans mingle before their historic Super Rugby match kicked off at Twickenham.

A stall outside Twickenham selling Crusaders and Sharks paraphernalia before their historic Super Rugby match.

Fans at Twickenham don't forget what the Crusaders-Sharks match is all about.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry and NZRU chief executive Steve Tew are avid spectators at the Crusaders-Sharks Super Rugby match at Twickenham.

Crusaders flanker George Whitelock holds off Sharks opposite number Keegan Daniel during the Super Rugby match at Twickenham. Matt Todd looms in support.

Former All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall strolls to Twickenham to commentate on the Super Rugby match between his old side, the Crusaders, against the Sharks.

Crusaders winger Sean Maitland scores the decisive try to seal victory over the Sharks at Twickenham.

Sonny Bill Williams scores the first try of the match for the Crusaders.

Crusaders' Richie McCaw is taken down by the Chiefs' Tim Nanai-Williams.

Chiefs' Lelia Masanga getting closed down by Ben Franks and Brad Thorn.

Robbie Fruean of the Crusaders breaks through the tackle of Shaun Treeby of the Highlanders during the round 10 Super Rugby match in Nelson.

Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith gets his pass away during the round 10 Super Rugby match against the Highlanders at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

Crusaders back Israel Dagg is tackled by James Paterson of the Highlanders during the round 10 Super Rugby match at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

Zac Guilford of the Crusaders is tackled by Aaron Smith of the Highlanders during the round 10 Super Rugby match at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

Nasi Manu of the Highlanders runs with the ball during the round 10 Super Rugby match at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

Matt Todd of the Crusaders is tackled by Jarrad Hoeata of the Highlanders during the round 10 Super Rugby match at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

Zac Guildford of the Crusaders scores the first try of the game against the Highlanders.

Nathan Sharpe of the Force looks to break through Mat Berquist and Chris Jack of the Crusaders.

Mat Berquist of the Crusaders looks to pass against the Force.

The Crusaders celebrate a try against the Force.

Sonny Bill Williams of the Crusaders makes a break against the Force.

Zac Guildford of the Crusaders gets tackled by Pat Dellitt and Brett Sheehan of the Force.

Robbie Freuan gets on the move for the Crusaders.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder looks on as his charges record a memorable win in South Africa.

Schalk Burger is hauled down by the Crusaders' defence.

The Crusaders start the celebrations after defeating the Stormers 20-14 at DHL Newlands.

Ashley Johnson of the Cheetahs on the charge against the Crusaders.

Ryan Crotty of the Crusaders and Adriaan Strauss of the Cheetahs tangle.

The Crusaders clear the ruck against the Cheetahs.

Robbie Fruen tackles Tim Nanai-Williams during the Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and Chiefs played at McLean Park, Napier.

Richard Kahui is tackled in the Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and Chiefs played at McLean Park, Napier.

Richie McCaw is tackled by Sam Cane in the Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and Chiefs played at McLean Park, Napier.

Richie McCaw loses the ball in the tackle in the Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and Chiefs played at McLean Park, Napier.

Sitiveni Sivivatu is tackled the Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and Chiefs played at McLean Park, Napier.

Sona Taumalolo is ankle tapped by Dan Carter in the Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and Chiefs played at McLean Park, Napier.

Richie McCaw of the Crusaders reacts after the team's defeat by the Reds.

Brent Ward of the Crusaders tackles Luke Morahan of the Reds.

Will Genia of the Reds scores a try past Zac Guildford of the Crusaders.

Brent Ward of the Crusaders scores a try past Quade Cooper of the Reds.

Will Genia of the Reds runs at the tryline to score against the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium.

Kieran Read of the Crusaders is tackled by Peter Saili of the Blues.

Tom Marshall of the Crusaders is tackled by Jared Payne of the Blues.

Luke McAlister of the Blues and Robbie Fruean of the Crusaders clash for the ball.

Robbie Fruean of the Crusaders tries to get between Peter Saili and Jerome Kaino of the Blues.

Robbie Fruean of the Crusaders at their game with the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium.

Kieran Reid of the Crusaders at their game witht eh Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium.

Corey Flynn of the Crusaders at their game with the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium.

Sonny Bill Williams tries to offload around Stefan Terblanche of the Sharks.

Tom Marshall makes a break in the first half against the Sharks.

Sonny Bill Williams makes a break in the first half against the Sharks.

Kieran Read on the charge against the Sharks.

Dan Carter is tackled by Gerhard Mostert of the Sharks.

Gerhart Mostert of the Sharks has his jersey rearranged.

Sonny Bill Williams celebrates his first half try against the Sharks with Andy Ellis.

Quade Cooper is a poor man's Carlos Spencer. I'd stake my house on Dan Carter ahead of the flighty Queenslander any time.

The two go head to head in the Super Rugby final in Brisbane on Saturday night in what could be a pointer to bigger duels to come in the Tri-Nations and, most importantly, the World Cup.

Don't get me wrong, Cooper is a real talent and arguably the most exciting individual running around the Super scene this year.

1 of 7 Getty Images Robbie Fruean of the Crusaders charges up field against the Stormers. 2 of 7 Getty Images Kieran Read of the Crusaders passes the ball to Robbie Fruean against the Stormers. 3 of 7 Getty Images Andries Bekker of the Stormers is tackled during their semifinal match against the Crusaders. 4 of 7 Getty Images Richie McCaw of the Crusaders charges down a kick from Peter Grant of the Stormers. 5 of 7 Getty Images Dan Carter of the Crusaders in action against the Stormers. 6 of 7 Getty Images Sean Maitland of the Crusaders in action against the Stormers. 7 of 7 Getty Images Sonny Bill Williams of the Crusaders meets fans during their Super Rugby semifinal against the Stormers.

He's made some big strides, bringing a bit more consistency to go with his electric game.

He's a handful for any defence who won't know what he's planning to do until it's unfolding in front of them.

But there are a couple of things that come with Cooper's unpredictable approach. It's a high-risk game he plays and it's also one based on confidence.

New Zealanders should be used to this. We went through the heart-attacks that came with Spencer's approach. Brilliant one minute, insane the next.

Is it a coincidence that Cooper looks a little like Spencer, body ink and all? Surprise, surprise, the Tokoroa-transplant concedes Spencer was one of his heroes.

Cooper has cleverly walked a tightrope this year but I can't help but feel that he's an accident waiting to happen, that he will produce one trick too many that will fall into the hands of the Crusaders or the All Blacks.

Those Kiwi sides make a living off turnovers, so think twice Quade, even though that isn't a trait of your instinctive game.

Then there's Cooper's goalkicking. It's streaky. Even in the semifinal against the Blues his kicking for goal was shoddy while the match was tight early. A sign of tightness and nerves? Perhaps.

The Aussies made much of his late dropped goal against the Blues as being a clever ploy that could pay dividends later in the season. Fair enough, but they overlooked his earlier wobbles from the kicking tee.

Cooper is a far from proven force at test level and it will be interesting to see if Robbie Deans has the ultimate faith in him as the international season unfolds.

Deans isn't short of alternatives from James O'Connor to Matt Giteau to Berrick Barnes.

Form would suggest Cooper has the Wallabies No 10 jersey for the Tri-Nations, especially with the strong partnership he has formed with his halfback Will Genia.

I sense the All Blacks won't mind that too much.

And I'm sure they will be more than comfortable with their playmaker in the ice-cool Carter.

Carter is a proven force at all levels. He has a consistency about his allround game, particularly at test level, that Cooper can only dream of.

Carter mightn't have quite the running game of Cooper these days and Cooper's slight of hand passing is impressive. But overall Carter's distribution is rock solid. He knows when something "is on" around him and with the outside talent Carter works with, he's more than content to let them express themselves.

But Carter cleans up in the kicking stakes - both in field kicking and shots at goal.

Carter also has a calmness that gives confidence to those around him. For all his individual brilliance, Carter plays an inclusive game.

Is it hard to weigh up the games of Carter and Cooper against each other?

It shouldn't be too difficult for New Zealand rugby fans.

Think back to the continual debate around Andrew Mehrtens v Carlos Spencer.

Who will be remembered more fondly between those two contrasting characters?

Your answer to that will certainly colour your thinking on the Carter-Cooper puzzler.

If a game was hanging in the balance, I'd go with Mehrtens ahead of Spencer. Which means I'm more than comfortable in the Carter camp right now.