Aaron Cruden may now be All Blacks’ only choice
By Robert Murray, 10 Oct 2011 Robert Murray is a Roar Rookie
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- Aaron Cruden, All Blacks, Rugby Union, Rugby World Cup
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Within a week, Aaron Cruden has gone from watching the Rugby World Cup at home on TV to possibly being the last All Blacks flyhalf left standing for their semi-final against Australia.
Dan Carter’s groin injury ended his tournament and started Cruden’s on October 2, and Colin Slade’s groin strain in the 33-10 win over Argentina in the quarter-finals on Sunday now has the diminutive flyhalf poised to face off against the Wallabies’ Quade Cooper.
“It’s been pretty surreal, the last week,” Cruden said.
“To be honest, I don’t think it has fully sunk in. A week ago I was watching the games on the couch and now I’m playing in them. Very blessed to be here and hopefully we can keep the momentum going.”
With New Zealand trailing 7-6 and the anxiety levels of the hushed almost capacity Eden Park crowd rising as memories of ignominious exits of World Cups past came flooding back, Cruden went on in the 33rd minute to replace Slade.
After an understandably nervous start, Cruden’s confidence grew as he made several incisive runs against the tiring Pumas’ defence.
“Running out there, the crowd and everything was pretty overwhelming, but the senior guys really got behind me and told me to play my game,” he said.
“The guys around me gave me a lot of confidence to play my natural game.
“As the game went on, I started to feel I was able to do that and got the groove of the game and was pretty pleased with how things went.”
The All Blacks are sweating on an injury update on both Slade, who played just over half an hour of Sunday’s win, and fullback Mils Muliaina (shoulder).
Cruden’s performance wasn’t bad considering he hasn’t played for more than a month, not since his Manawatu club was knocked out of a provincial cup competition.
All set to go on holiday, he got the call-up after doing no training other than gym work and playing touch rugby.
He’s since been “getting to know the structures again” at training and receiving feedback from senior players, like captain Richie McCaw.
“I take my hat off to him,” McCaw said.
“He had to learn pretty quick this week. I thought he had a pretty good day.”
Even Carter has been happy to assist Cruden.
“He’s been around the hotel helping both I and Colin out, and just saying: ‘Embrace it, you’re in this team for a reason’ and we’re good enough to be here and test ourselves against the best in the world,” Cruden said.
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The Crowd Says (7) | Page 1 of Comments
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- Aaron Cruden, All Blacks, Rugby Union, Rugby World Cup
October 10th 2011 @ 8:44am
Mungehead said | October 10th 2011 @ 8:44am | Report comment
I still prefer Weepu, but Weepu can’t be both halfback and first five at the same time. I do prefer Cruden, despite his faults, to Slade. He came in and did the basics well last night, and that’s what we need – not the X-factor, the basics.
Now if Slade is out, who is the next cab off the rank??
October 10th 2011 @ 11:07am
kiwidave said | October 10th 2011 @ 11:07am | Report comment
SOS to Tony Brown? Beauden Barrett? Has Mike Delany left the country yet? The Duck?
…Benji Marshall?
October 10th 2011 @ 1:47pm
kiwidave said | October 10th 2011 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
http://tvnz.co.nz/all-blacks/donald-and-gear-into-abs-slade-mils-4457302
The duck it is apparently.
October 10th 2011 @ 8:53am
terrykidd said | October 10th 2011 @ 8:53am | Report comment
Does Henry have Nick Evans’ phone number?
October 10th 2011 @ 9:59am
jumpers said | October 10th 2011 @ 9:59am | Report comment
Cruden is the man! His performance was great and he played with confidence.
All the ABs need is a link man to spin the ball, kicking and can attack the line. Cruden showed all these skills and I’d feel alot more confident if hes there if Slades injured. Go the ABs!!!
October 10th 2011 @ 12:23pm
the other Steve - and AB fan said | October 10th 2011 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
A benefit of having Cruden is that while he does not have great experience at test level, he does have a lot of experience with his likely 9, 12, 13 and 14 – Weepu, Nonu, C.Smith and Cory Jane. It’s getting close to a ex-Hurricanes back line! And if Guildford plays – another ex-Hurricane I believe.
October 11th 2011 @ 2:39pm
Thomas said | October 11th 2011 @ 2:39pm | Report comment
I hope Aaron goes okay against Australia on Sunday, but he always reminds me of someone who needs another good feed & a few more good workouts in the gym…lets just hope due to his lighter frame he will survive injury.