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International

Aaron Cruden on the combination shaping Ruben Love’s All Blacks chances

Henry Lee

1 hour ago

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 28: Ruben Love of the Hurricanes looks on during the round seven Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and Queensland Reds at Hnry Stadium, on March 28, 2026, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Former All Blacks and Chiefs first-five Aaron Cruden has weighed in on the possibility of Ruben Love starting at No.10 for the All Blacks in 2026, as his Hurricanes backline continues to flourish in Super Rugby Pacific.

The Hurricanes playmaker is in a battle with several other first-fives, including Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett, and Richie Mo’unga, when the latter returns from Japan. Blues playmaker Stephen Perofeta has also returned from injury to show he’s not out of the picture, despite not playing for the All Blacks since October 2024 against Japan.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie and his coaching staff will be busy crunching the numbers and watching Super Rugby Pacific from afar, before naming their first squad of the new era ahead of the three Nations Championship Tests in July.

Given the outstanding form of Hurricanes halfback Cameron Roigard, many consider him a walk-up starter for the All Blacks, which could benefit Love’s chances of starting in the No.10 jersey.

Rennie could select familiar club combinations, which could offer up Love a chance to start at first-five for the All Blacks if Roigard and Jordie Barrett were also named in the backline.

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Cruden believes that this could be a factor, having played under Rennie for a number of years at the Chiefs.

“I certainly think it comes into the equation without a doubt. And knowing Rennie well, he’s certainly going to factor that into his decision,” Cruden said on Millsy & Guy on Sport Nation.

“The combination he [Love] has with Cameron Roigard right now. The way that those two are just interacting and guiding their team around the paddock is absolutely fantastic.

“But, I mean, the funny thing is, we all know Super Rugby, while it’s great and it’s a stepping stone for a lot, like the international game is just so much different. So it sort of depends a little bit on structures, on team profile and personnel.”

Cruden, who played 50 Tests for the All Blacks, explained that you can’t look past the Barrett and Billy Proctor combination in midfield, which also shows how important familiarity could be.

“Yeah, I think, in a way, combinations are important, but at the same time, there’s a lot of other factors that the coaching group and the likes of Rennie and his men will have to factor in.

“But as I said, in regards to what I’m seeing from Cameron and Ruben, it’s been outstanding and also then you can’t forget the Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor factor as well.

“That cohesion in their back line at the moment is just absolutely firing on all cylinders, and they’re getting some absolutely fantastic work through their forward pack as well, which is allowing them to have freedom in their choice to probably express themselves out wide.”