Aaron Cruden, New Zealand’s latest rugby star
Columnist
By Spiro Zavos, 23 Jun 2009 Spiro Zavos is a Roar Expert
Australia's Richard Kingi, left, fights for the ball with New Zealand's Aaron Cruden during the IRB Junior World Rugby Championship in Tokyo, Wednesday, June 17, 2009. AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi
Last year’s Hong Kong Sevens revealed the prodigious rugby talents of James O’Connor. This year’s Under-20 Junior World Championship revealed the equally prodigious rugby talents of Aaron Cruden, the captain of the winning New Zealand side.
It would not be a surprise if the All Black selectors gave him a run in the New Zealand squad that tour Europe in November.
Cruden, at this stage of his career, looks to be the successor to Daniel Carter when he finishes up in New Zealand rugby and moves permanently overseas some time after the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Cruden was forced to undergo a course of chemotheraphy for testicular cancer. He has come through that ordeal and plays with a maturity and skill of a younger version of Carter, taking the line on, making breaks, kicking accurately and defending strongly.
He is, like O’Connor, the complete package.
The Junior World Cup final was a terrific rugby match played by an aggressive and skillful New Zealand side, with a wonderful set of backs, against a monster England pack, all the players full-time professionals, who were man-for-man bigger and faster than the national pack.
England dominated the scrums and won its own lineout ball easily enough.
Their standout forward was the lanky second rower James Gaskell. Ben Youngs, a strong-running halfback, and Tom Homer, a big, long-kicking fullback, also impressed as future international.
But the side was too slow around the field and too lacking in passing and running skills overall to seriously threaten the New Zealand team.
The New Zealanders had any number of fine backs who will make a mark at the provincial and national senior level sooner rather than later.
The coach of the New Zealand side, Dave Rennie, predicts that several of his squad will be in the All Blacks during the Rugby World Cup tournament in 2011.
Names to look out for, aside from Cruden, are the centres Shaun Treeby and Winston Stanley, the winger Zac Guilford and the most impressive Robbie Robinson, a fullback who plays with the brilliance of Jeff Wilson.
The Australian side was the disappointment of the tournament.
Coach David Nucifora had a squad with several players with Super 14 experience. But somehow he couldn’t get the team to play the exact and expressive rugby needed to win the tournament.
Three players in the squad took the eye, though: the Sydney University second rower David McDuling, the hooker Damien Fitzpatrick, a future Wallaby captain, and Richard Kingi, a live wire running halfback who learned his rugby in New Zealand.
Two other aspects of the tournament deserve a special mention.
First, the New Zealanders, once again, have provided in this rugby arena the benchmark against which all the other countries should aspire to.
And second, the excellent management and running of the tournament by the Japanese officials at Nagoya, a hot-spa tourist town. A knowledgeable and enthusiatic crowd of over 20,000 supported the final on a wet day.
Japan is bidding to host either the 2015 0r 2019 Rugby World Cup tournaments.
In my view, England should be awarded the 2015 tournament. But the Japanese Rugby Union has improved its chances greatly for the 2019 tournament.
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Ian Noble said | June 23rd 2009 @ 1:35am | Report comment
Spiro
England lost to the better team. However there is some encouragement as the elite academy system is bringing through better quality English players than even 5 years ago. The bar is continualy being raised and it is a pity that a couple of the U18′s could not play in the backs as they are considered to be better prospects than the present centres. As for the forwards better conditioning and careful training is bringing through a bigger faster forward. The real test is how many move on to the senior squads and the England side, may be only three or four.
ohtani's jacket, said | June 23rd 2009 @ 2:04am | Report comment
“And second, the excellent management and running of the tournament by the Japanese officials at Nagoya, a hot-spa tourist town. A knowledgeable and enthusiatic crowd of over 20,000 supported the final on a wet day.”
Nagoya only hosted the pool stages, along with Tokyo, Osaka and Saga, with Fukuoka being used for some of the playoff games. The semis, final and third place playoff were all played in Tokyo.
And in actual fact, Nagoya is the third largest metropolitan region in Japan with the fourth most populous urban area. It’s a major port and the centre of Japan’s car industry.
Colin N said | June 23rd 2009 @ 2:16am | Report comment
England are bringing through some talented players, but I feel we are still lacking in some areas, especially inside centre. Luke Eves is a decent player, but I can only see him becoming a good club player, he doesn’t look like he has the necessary skills to become an international player. Henry Trinder, on the other hand, has looked a very good player, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he stars for Gloucester this year. Next year, I expect to see ex-England U-18 captain Tom Casson take the 13 shirt (unless Trinder has one more year left at this level). The forwards look very promising and no doubt the likes of James Gaskell and Carl Fearns (irb young player of the year nominee) will feature for Sale quite a lot next season, especially with Fernandez-Lobbe now gone to pastures new. Also Calum Clark, a regular for Leeds in the last two years (and still only 20) will continue his development in the Guinness Premiership. I’ve been really impressed with, usually first to the breakdown, takes a good body position and also very good in the loose.
England are also producing a procession of half-backs. Add Ben Youngs and Dave Lewis to the likes of Care, Ellis, Hodgson, Micky Young, Joe Simpson and Wigglesworth (just off the top of my head), shows England have a lot of depth in that area.
Sam Taulelei said | June 23rd 2009 @ 5:32am | Report comment
Very sad to read of Zac Guildford at fulltime looking up into the stands to acknoweldge his parents and see his father attended to by the team doctor dying from a heart attack.
Another fine group of talented youngsters coached by Dave Rennie that could see some feature in the All Blacks on the end of season tour and Super 14. I would caution against comparing Cruden to Carter as this early stage of his career as there were similar high hopes for last years first five Daniel Kilpatrick after their U20 championship win against England and Kilpatrick hasn’t yet kicked on for the Hurricanes or Wellington. With consecutive victories at this age grade level it offers a lot of optimism and potential for the next generation of NZ rugby players to challenge for All Black spots in the years to come.
There were high expectations for the Australian team and on paper they were a stronger team than last years side that narrowly lost to England in their semifinal and this years fourth placing is nothing less than a major failure and not a disappointment as coach Nucifora stated.
Sam Taulelei said | June 23rd 2009 @ 5:56am | Report comment
Posted this earlier so apologies if it appears twice.
Very sad to read of Zac Guildford at fulltime looking up in the stands to acknowledge his parents and seeing his father attended to by the team doctor dying from a heart attack.
Another group of talented youngsters coached by Dave Rennie that could see some feature in the All Blacks end of year tour and many in next years Super 14. I would caution against comparing Cruden to Carter at this early stage of his career, there were similar high hopes for Daniel Kilpatrick after last years championship win against England and he hasn’t yet kicked on for the Hurricanes and Wellington. A demanding position like first five can only be mastered after experience and talent alone isn’t enough at higher levels. Names like Beale and Cooper are testament to hyping a prodigious talent too soon. However consecutive victories at this age grade tournament offers a lot of optimism and potential for the next generation of talent in NZ rugby to challenge for All Black spots in the years to come, particularly in the two positions that we have struggled to find quality backups – first five and openside flanker.
The Australian team had high expectations for winning this tournament and on paper had a stronger team than last years side which controversially lost their semifinal against England. Their fourth placing should be considered a major failure and not a major disappointment as stated by David Nucifora.
Sam Taulelei said | June 23rd 2009 @ 6:09am | Report comment
Aaron Cruden hailing from the Manawatu should be snapped up by the Hurricanes which would give them two talented youngsters (Daniel Kilpatrick) to develop in a major problem position for the franchise since Stephen Bachop and David Holwell hung up their boots. His battle in overcoming testicular cancer last year is inspirational and similar to another age grade player of the tournament, Robert Fruean who had to give the game away while battling a rare life threatening condition called pandacritis who returned to the game this year and took the field for the Hurricanes against the Blues.
Matt said | June 23rd 2009 @ 6:41am | Report comment
Very impressive of the NZ to claim back-to-back trophies after only one player returned from last season (Guildford).
Have had the pleasure of watching Cruden playing rugby many times for a very talent Palmerston North Boys High School team (including current NZ 7′s player and FB Kurt Baker, Manawatu and 08 NZU20 winger Andre Taylor and the two starting 09 NZU20 Props Ma’afu Fia and Willie Ione).
My brother, who played Centre for the same side, has alway been fairly adament that Cruden would wear the Black jersey one day and I guess he was more than correct. He’s certainly not the biggest guy (only 175cm and 82 kg’s) but he has an incredible talent for seeing space and opportunity, something that just cannot be tought.
Cruden was always unfortunate to be in the same year group as Dan Kirkpatrick who was always favoured (and helped by some untimely injuries to Cruden). It’ll be a real shame when the Air NZ Cup is reduced next season (to 10 teams) and the likes of Fia, Ione, Cruden, Baker, Taylor (from one year group alone) will have to find a new path to the spotlight if Manawatu is culled.
Robbie Robinson and Treeby were the other standout players for me. I beleive that both are 1st 5′s who have been moved. Robinson definitely is and I think Treeby (like Ryan Crotty last season) is a 1st Five shifted out. It is the same pattern that Deans is trying to impart on the Wallabies. More playmakers effectively give more attacking option on the second phase.
Blindside flanker from Northhampton looked very impressive and will definitely kick on to bigger things for England. Homer at FB looked impressive too. But no backs that looked as promising as Jordan Turner-Hall did last season. Bodes well for England’s future though and it must only be a matter of time before they finally claim their maiden IRB Age Grade Tournament.
Lion Red said | June 23rd 2009 @ 8:02am | Report comment
Now that Carter has returned to the Crusaders maybe the Blues franchise should recruit Cruden.
Justin said | June 23rd 2009 @ 8:16am | Report comment
I thought the AUS forward pack was decent but without a proper 7. The guy who played 7 was ordinary, didnt secure turnovers, waited in defence and wasnt a great ball runner. Shaw played well as did Fitzpatrick. Unfortunately outside 9 and 10 for AUS there was little to get excited about. The wingers for AUS were shocking, too small, not quick enough and just generally mistake ridden against good opposition.
I thought Robinson for NZ was outstanding at 15 even though he is a 10. At that age he could easily make the switch full time. Hit the line hard (a key for a 15) made busts at will and obviously has all the other skills being a 10 normally.
Knives out said | June 23rd 2009 @ 8:33am | Report comment
Here’s something posted on Planet Rugby:
2008 – IRB Junior Player of the Year: Luke Braid (New Zealand)
2007 – IRB International U19 Player of the Year: Robert Fruean (New Zealand)
2006 – IRB International U19 Player of the Year: Josh Holmes (Australia)
2006 – IRB International U21 Player of the Year: Lionel Beauxis (France)
2005 – IRB International U19 Player of the Year: Isaia Toeava (New Zealand)
2005 – IRB International U21 Player of the Year: Tatafu Polota-Nau (Australia)
2004 – IRB International U19 Player of the Year: Jeremy Thrush (New Zealand)
2004 – IRB International U21 Player of the Year: Jerome Kaino (New Zealand)
2003 – IRB U19 Player of the Year: Jean Baptiste Payras (France)
2003 – IRB U21 Player of the Year: Ben Atiga (New Zealand)
2002 – IRB U19 Player of the Year: Luke McAlister (New Zealand)
2002 – IRB U21 Player of the Year: Pat Barnard (South Africa)
2001 – IRB Young Player of the Year: Gavin Henson (Wales)
With thanks to the IRB
Only Peyras (Not Payras) has not made his mark at either club/provincial/franchise or test level.