Exiled All Blacks playmaker Aaron Cruden’s punishment is over but he’s still paying for his sins after being completely overlooked for Saturday’s Bledisloe dead-rubber.
Cruden, New Zealand’s first-choice five-eighth in the past year with Dan Carter sidelined, won’t even suit up against the Wallabies after serving his two-Test ban for the big night out that saw him miss the trip to Argentina four weeks ago.
Beauden Barrett has been preferred at No.10 on form, while Colin Slade’s extra versatility has squeezed Cruden out of a reserves spot at Suncorp Stadium.
“He’s definitely not getting punished,” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said of the 35-Test star.
“He hasn’t made the 23 simply because Beauden Barrett’s been playing well enough to get another Test at first-five.
“Once we made that decision then it was about what was best for our bench and Sladey covers so many positions for us.”
Cruden now has a tall order to regain top spot on the pecking order with Hansen admitting Hurricanes five-eighth Barrett, who started in the 27-25 last-start loss to South Africa, had “his nose in front”.
Showing the huge depth of talent the All Blacks have, they will still start short-price favourites ($1.30) to break a two-match Brisbane rut without their best two No.10s.
Carter is no certainty for their end-of-season tour, where Cruden will get first chance against USA, but will be named on Monday before a medical assessment on his leg injury.
Hansen was also able to rest winger Ben Smith this weekend and also play it safe with defensive enforcer Jerome Kaino, who will undergo scans on a foot problem.
In their places are Cory Jane, a stand-out in the 51-20 rout of Australia at Eden Park, and blindside flanker Liam Messam.
Lock Brodie Retallick, prop Wyatt Crockett and hooker Dane Coles all return to ensure the All Blacks boast the same tight-five that had their colours lowered in the 12-12 Sydney draw before responding in kind in Auckland.
Hansen stressed his pack wouldn’t be taking the Wallabies tight-five lightly.
All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Colin Slade, Charles Piutau.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
The fact Cruden is earmarked to return in Chicago suggests he might not start at Twickenham. I don't know whether the whole squad will fly out to Chicago as it's not as far to London as Tokyo is, which saw two separate flights to London. I think it's good Barrett has been given another chance. His errant goal kicking seemed to come right after another chance so hopefully we see him give a crack at the open spaces like he did against Argentina.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Slade is a better option to cover the bench with Barret starting because he can cover more positions, although you can argue Barret could just move out if injury happened and let Cruden slot into 10. At the end of the day Cruden starting with Barret on the bench is our strongest combination, Hansen knows this he just thinks we are stupid by trying to tell us otherwise and trying to pretend he is not still pi$$ed off at Crudz
Stevo TP
Guest
Wrong KR, completely wrong on several points and pure speculation. (1) EP was not "lost convincingly" (2) Replacement of AC by BB is a judgement call by SH and I would back his judgement against most others. (3) The WB's forwards will, try and upset any 5/8 while they have the wind - so not very long. (4) If you think SH is going to be unravelled by a loss or even a draw then your judgement is non existent (5) Cruden's "demotion" as you call it is only in your mind.
tinman
Guest
Haha yeah it gets a bit like that after a while... I'm happy to support the choices Shag & co make. No complaints here!! Go ABs ...
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
If Hansen is trying to say Slade is a better option than Cruden hes lost the plot.
Jordan
Guest
Why the All Blacks are better than we are you screw up, you get exiled Beale is on chance number 5 now?
richard
Guest
Yep,preferred Barrett coming on as an impact player later in the game - far more effective.Hansen has already gone on record as saying he has picked Barrett as he can play a number of positions in the backline.Conversely,Cruds only really plays one position,first-five. But if you were picking on form,you would surely go with Cruden.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I think Hansen has dropped the ball if he thinks this is the best option. While Barrret has played solid rugby, we have lost the impact he had from the bench in the last 30 odd minutes of the game, it was a weapon we have used to deadly effect and that is gone with Barret starting. The All Blacks are a stronger side with him on the bench and Cruden starting. If Cruden is forgiven then he should be starting this test match, the All Blacks have never lost with Cruden wearing the number 10, that is a fact you can't argue with.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Hansen says that Cruden "hasn’t made the 23 simply because Beauden Barrett’s been playing well enough to get another Test at first-five". This comment is BS as Barrett was the weakest link in the ABs team as shown by his poor performances in the last two tests in Argentina and Ellis Park with the ABs losing the EP test convincingly. Barrett is still the weakest link in tomorrow's test and the Wallabies big forwards should run at him in both attack and defence and the ABs will be starved of ball. They should do the same when Colin Slade come on too. If they do, the Wallabies will have a great opportunity to unravel the ABs game plan and Hansen's stupidity in leaving Cruden out of the team. When done, it will be total blackout in NZ and Hansen should be reduced to mere mortal across the ditch. Perhaps then the NZ media would be able to ask questions that they have not been asking since the demotion of Cruden.
Riccardo
Guest
I very much doubt that Aaron no longer figures in Hansen's plans as ome have been eager to report. There are a couple of considerations here. Aaron is not a utility and riding the pine actually detracts from bench strength. This has been issue on toiur recently. Beauden needs more "start" time and has bided his time from the bench for some time already too. He has actually shown some form on this tour against stern opposition and more exposure can only be a good thing for the All Blacks. The All Blacks have almost a tradiiton of letting beatten teams "atone" in the following week and some of that is at play here too IMO. Cruden's not done yet...
Firstxv
Guest
thats true OB, he knows what Cruden can do and he's been central to most of Hansens wins to date but agree he could be giving Barrett every chance to make a claim- and replaying him after the loss suggests he really wants Barrett to step up at this time. That will make his plans clearer for the next 12 months- starter, or impact. But his loyalty in allowing Barrett time to breathe in the roll has to be applauded.
Old Bugger
Guest
Funny how forgiven now becomes forgotten. Shag is just using his nous to keep the pressure on Link during this tumultuous week for himself and his WB team by making Link spend half the week wondering who is gonna be ABs FH. IMO, he has also announced to Barrett that this is your best chance to seal your place as a starting FH - your nose is just in front so to speak but if anything, Shag has shown before, that he doesn't suffer fools so I can't see him changing his spots for stripes. If you don't perform, I'll find someone else.....a task-master attitude perhaps but, he does give his absolute loyalty, when you perform.
AndyS
Guest
First world problems....