Nr. 1 Rookie, just like Sasuke was the Nr. 1 Rookie. Neji wasn't a rookie anymore. Also, if you want to argue against it, Sasuke was no match for Neji at the time, as stated by Kakashi (He should know, since he and Sasuke "are the same"). I don't think Sasuke's speed boost would help him much against Neji either (I think the easy speed boost thingy, goes for both clans), but this is a Byakugan vs. Sharingan not a Sasuke vs. Neji, so I'll stop going off topic
