Embarrassed All Blacks five-eighth Aaron Cruden could face further disciplinary action after missing his flight to Argentina after a night out on the town.
Cruden has been banned from the rest of the Rugby Championship by team management.
In an astonishing revelation, New Zealand Rugby officials said world class playmaker Cruden failed to make it to Auckland Airport for the flight on Sunday morning.
He had joined teammates for a meal and drinks on Saturday night, but his movements after that are unclear.
Coach Steve Hansen deemed the 25-year-old’s actions unacceptable and said he won’t be considered for the Tests in La Plata on Saturday, or the Test against South Africa in Johannesburg a week later.
“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.
NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Tew says he fully supports the decision.
“It’s fair to say we’re disappointed in his behaviour. We do set very high standards in this team and everyone understands those standards and the expectations that go with them,” he said.
He spoke to a distraught Cruden on Sunday who admitted having let himself and his teammates down.
“I think the word `gutted’ is probably a reasonable one.”
Tew says team management are still working out what players did on Saturday night so couldn’t say if there will be disciplinary action against any other players, or if Cruden will face further punishment.
A more formal disciplinary process was likely against the 35-Test veteran, who last year signed a lucrative ambassador deal with All Blacks sponsor AIG.
“An incident like this with Aaron is very out of character,” Tew said.
“But we have treated it on its merits. There is a very high threshold of expectation within this team.”
At this stage, he said, Cruden will be eligible for next month’s third Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane.
It is unclear if he is free to play provincial rugby for Manawatu before then.
The night out took place after the team’s original flight on Saturday afternoon was delayed for mechanical reasons.
Tew says some players went home to families that night or out with friends while Cruden joined teammates at The Zookeeper’s Son pub and restaurant.
Cruden has established himself in the No.10 jersey in the last two seasons, boosted by ongoing injury problems for veteran Dan Carter.
He started six of the All Blacks’ seven Tests this year, kicking 69 points to lift his Test tally to 256, the fifth-most by an All Black.
Team management called up Tom Taylor, who made three Test appearances last year, as his replacement.
Beauden Barrett is the probable starting No.10 in Argentina, with Colin Slade likely to earn promotion to the reserves bench.
The unbeaten All Blacks will secure the Rugby Championship title if victorious in La Plata.
ben
Guest
Wrong. They didnt get pist it was during the day (ive got the cellphone photos) and they didnt miss a flight training curfew or anything.
Chan Wee
Guest
even i would do it given the coaching record SH has :D who was it that said victory had many fathers but defeat is a bastard ?
Old Bugger
Guest
RT YYURYYUB ICUR2YY4ME Tell me what you think this cryptic message reads - rumour suggests Napolean sent it to Nelson after the Battle of Trafalgar but as we know, the recipient never got a chance to read it.
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
For Manawatu.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Harry, they will not out and out drop Cruden. On what I understand, it was totally out of character and you can bet that it will not happen again. The fans in NZ have been quite scathing apparently, they demand a lot. Cruden by immediately ‘fessing up has won him some brownie points but his biggest risk now is not so much Beauden Barrett…. I think it is Dan Carter. Hansen is a huge Carter fan and I think he will give him the opportunity to show if he still ‘has it’ possibly as soon as October 18th in Brisbane. He will have had a couple of ITM games under his belt by then following his latest injury. If DC fronts up (and hard to suggest he won’t), Cruden just might find that Hansen might prefer the impact that Barrett brings from the bench. If that happens, Cruden might find that he will be relegated back to the ‘waiting once again’ brigade… that’s a helluva price to pay one would suggest. After RWC ,Cruden and Barrett miay be ranked in the AB’s one and two (might be already??), only Carter can stand in the way of that. Carter has intimated he wants to play on after RWC for a couple more years… Really hard to say, age and susceptibility to injury must catch up to him if not already but when on song, he can dictate a game like no other in NZ and possibly anywhere imo. Many will say that Cruden outplayed Carter in S15 and it is true but as good as Cruden has been in his 35 tests for the AB's, his best is not close to Carter’s performances. The most difficult point is that Carter has, due to his sabbatical and injuries, has played so few minutes at the top level. I think though, Shag will give his a chance to prove himself again such is his loyalty.... We shall see.... Meanwhile, Pollard v Barrett in a couple of weeks, only 3 years between them in age.. will be interesting ... bring it on!
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Turn the screws why don't you.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
I enjoyed your responses TWAS. I appreciate research and facts and I have found your posts rather refreshing recently. I myself am too prone to generalisations and rose colored memories until the facts slap me in the face. Well done.
Harry Jones
Expert
Good on ABs to stick to their standards BUT ALSO SUPPORT the lad. I’m guessing Cruden is 3 hours early the remainder of his career But jeez! Barrett the Bok Beater might seize and own the 10 jersey
Harry Jones
Expert
Good on ABs to stick to their standards BUT ALSO SUPPORT the lad. I'm guessing Cruden is 3 hours early the remainder of his career But jeez! Barrett the Bok Beating Bastard might seize and own the 10 jersey
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Yeah Chan Wee, hard to argue with that, however if BB or CS mess up (heaven forbid), I wonder how Hansen will feel inwardly. By reports, it appears that Hansen was judge, jury and executioner in this one and obviously was prepared to accept the consequences of his decision as well, all kudos to him.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Ha!... I can imagine, your missus must be a wise woman! ....... I wonder if yabba feels 'swatted'..
Chan Wee
Guest
MIB have a heirarchy and it is DC AC BB and others. each coach has players he likes and SH certainly likes AC for the way he plays. all the same, he takes advantage of opposition as it presents to give experience to BB. Colin Slade is a very good 10 and SH knows he will do a job if called upon, just like Matt Todd is always providing vcover for Mccaw or Cane. they have identified the 30 best, then there are others like Tom Taylor and Thrush who get called when in need :)
Chan Wee
Guest
but unlike the RC , RWC does not allow replacements for idiotic behavior. it is strictly injury replacements. if i recall Mils was also carrying an injury but MIB management did not call for replacement as he was nearing 100 tests and wanted give him time to recover.
Sylvester
Guest
It's quite likely BB will be the bench reserve because of his positional versatility, which is bad news for Cruden when DC returns.
Jerry
Guest
Hansen wasn't in charge then, maybe he wanted to stand them down that time but Henry & Smith didn't? Who knows?
soapit
Guest
not to mention avoiding all the pressure of making the call of dropping someone on form.
soapit
Guest
thinking it may have had something to do with not having a replacement ready for such an important game. unlike this time.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
Bored now....
Spanners
Guest
He should have had enough experience to know when he'd reached the critical point of no return. That's the point when when you have to fully commit and stay on the drink until your flight is called. Rookie mistake to go bed...
kesmcc
Roar Pro
the other stuff i can let go but "about the only one that would be considered as a ‘run on’ player for the ABS", You must be dreaming. He wouldn't even make the wider training group let alone the first XV