Tophats: Squirreloid wins!

[Squirrelloid]

MA TC isn't that easy to rush... they have a great troop line-up and great mages that can cast most of the early rush counters. Admittedly, some cleverness may be required, but to say they're an easy target vastly overstates the case.

Of course, you have to make a point of researching the early rush counters...

Also, with celestial soldiers being sacred, I can totally see playing MA TC as a bless nation. Your sacred cavalry will benefit from the same blesses the celestial soldiers will, so they'll help foil rushes while you research your way to your real sacred.