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All Blacks five-eighth Aaron Cruden will miss the Rugby Championship Tests against Argentina and South Africa for disciplinary reasons.
Coach Steve Hansen says Cruden went out drinking in Auckland on Friday night and didn’t fly with the team to Argentina on Sunday.
Hansen criticised the 25-year-old, who has been a standout performer for the All Blacks over the last two seasons.
“We are extremely disappointed at Aaron’s actions which are out of character. He is embarrassed at his actions,” Hansen said on the All Blacks twitter account.
“As a consequence of his actions, he has been left at home and will not join the squad for Tests against Argentina & South Africa.”
Cruden’s night out took place less than 24 hours before the team were scheduled to leave.
However, the flight was delayed because of mechanical issue and the team departed on Sunday morning.
Thirty-five Test veteran Cruden hasn’t been replaced in the 30-man squad, leaving Beauden Barrett as the likely starting No.10 against Argentina in La Plata on Saturday. Colin Slade is likely to win a place on the reserves bench.
Chiefs playmaker Cruden has started six of the All Blacks seven Tests this year, boosted by the absence of injured veteran Dan Carter.
He has scored 69 points with the boot, lifting him to 256 points in Tests, the fifth-most by an All Black.
He missed the Test against Argentina in Napier this month because of a chest injury, allowing Barrett to make his first start at first five-eighth.
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