Dominic Bird Because I can't think of a loose head prop right now. Bird is going to get more and more respect as time passes. He is a rugby player's rugby player.
Charlie Faumuina There are better props available, but not specialist tightheads. 1. Kees Meeuws 2. Andrew Hore 3. Charlie Faumuina 4. Ian Jones 5. Robin Brooke 6. Marty Holah 7. Josh Kronfeld 8. Jerry Collins 9. Kahn Fotuali'i 10. David Holwell 11. Jonah Lomu 12. Luke McAlister 13. Pita Alatini 14. 15.
1 - Franks 2 - Mealamu 3 - Afoa 4 - Williams 5 - Romano 6 - Kaino 7 - Cane 8 - Vito 10 - Mehrtens 11 - Smith 12 - Ieremia 13 - Bunce 15 - Piutau
Both arguable, and he plays a less key position than Carter which has reasonable depth. Not saying he's a bad first pick, but there's multiple viable options for it.
McCaw's skills go far and beyond his position though imo. The things he achieves in the breakdown, with and without the ball is worth far more than a decent 10.
Your 1st 5/8 controls the game... and generally scores most of the points. I'd take Carter over McCaw any day. I'll concede to McCaw being the captain though - probably evens things up a little.
1. Greg Feek 2. Anton Oliver 3. Craig Dowd 4. Troy Flavell 5. James Ryan 6. Reuben Thorne 7. Scott Robertson 8. Taine Randell 9. Andy Ellis 10. Aaron Cruden 11. Rico Gear 12. 13. 14. Jeff Wilson 15. Leon MacDonald