From a former Chief to a future Warrior: Could Cruden revitalise his career at Glasgow?
OPINION: Whispers are quickly growing louder that Montpellier and ex-All Black representative Aaron Cruden could be about to take a sizeable pay cut to relocate from the south of France to the cooler climates of Glasgow where he would link up with former mentor Dave Rennie. Since departing New Zealand in 2017, Cruden has had a difficult time adjusting to the challenges of playing rugby in France – not the least because he has continued to have poor luck with injuries.
When Cruden was cut down by a neck injury in the All Blacks’ test match with the touring Wales side in June 2016, it was the beginning of the end of the Manawatu born number 10’s New Zealand rugby career.
After Dan Carter departed New Zealand’s shores upon successfully defending the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup crown in 2015, Cruden was expected to step into Carter’s vacated position.
Cruden was no stranger to the role, having already played 36 test matches for the All Blacks – including a few where he had put on some absolutely sublime displays.
Perhaps his best ever performance for the All Blacks was in their third test of 2012, against a touring Irish side. Cruden started the match at first five and, in one of the most clinical 25-minute showings you’ll ever see for a 10, absolutely dismantled the Irish defence – paving the way for a 60-0 victory.
Likely Cruden’s most well known act in an All Blacks jersey was kicking the final conversion in their come-from-behind victory over Ireland at the end of 2013 – preventing the Irish team from getting their first ever win over New Zealand, having led 22-nil at one point.
One step down from test rugby, Cruden also achieved two Super Rugby championships with the Chiefs, and in his six years with the team they never once failed to make the finals series.
It had been evident that Cruden was the man to take over from Carter in 2016, but when Barrett relieved him of his duties against Wales in the second test of a three-match series, the picture suddenly became a lot blurrier.
Beauden Barrett had been nipping at Cruden’s feet for a number of years – first at the Hurricanes, where Cruden started his Super Rugby career, and then at the All Blacks. Cruden’s neck injury against Wales gave Barrett an opportunity to stake his claim to be the starting number 10 for the All Blacks in the post-Carter era – an opportunity that Barrett took with open arms, and he established a tight grip over the jersey that Cruden never managed to win back.
When Cruden signed for Montpellier in 2017, his fans were disappointed that even though he had delivered some excellent performances for the All Blacks, the Chiefs and Manawatu, he had never quite lived up to his potential in New Zealand – his career curtailed by injuries occurring at the most inopportune times.
These injuries haven’t subsided since Cruden relocated to France, either.
Cruden made his debut for Montpellier against Agen in their opening match of the 2017-18 TOP 14 season – less than a month after he had completed his duties with the Chiefs.
Since Cruden joined the club, Montpellier has played 62 matches. Cruden, however, has notched up only 33 appearances for the team and, especially in recent times, has found himself down the pecking order of inside backs.
With Johan Goosen, Frans Steyn and Ruan Pienaar all on the books – players who are all capable of playing at 10 and kicking goals, Cruden has found it tougher and tougher to make match day squads– but that’s also a product of his continuing injury curse.
Earlier in the year, Montpellier boss Mohed Altrad was particularly despondent when questioned about Cruden’s performances for the team.
“Our outside half, since he’s here, keeps hurting himself,” Altrad said.
“This season he has been injured four times. It is difficult for him to be efficient. We hoped for something else.”
Cruden’s struggles with injuries have meant that he has barely managed to string any performances together – good or bad. It’s completely understandable why Altrad has been dejected over paying over $1 million a year for a player who has been unavailable for selection or out of form.
It’s no surprise, really, that Altrad would therefore be willing to let Cruden part ways with the club to re-establish his partnership with Dave Rennie without requiring any financial compensation.
Glasgow, who currently sit top of their pool in the Pro14 but were thumped in their Champions Cup quarterfinal by Saracens, could be well-served by bringing in the experienced flyhalf.
22-year-old Adam Hastings is the current first-choice number 10 for the Warriors, having spent the former part of his career camped behind Scotland’s starting flyhalf, Finn Russell.
Russell, who now plays for French side Racing 92, played in over 80 matches for Glasgow and led the team to a Pro12 title in 2015. Since his departure, Hastings has grown into his role as key playmaker and put on an accomplished display during their most recent match with Leinster. There is no doubt that Hastings is the future for Glasgow – and possibly the Scottish national side – but that doesn’t mean a man like Cruden wouldn’t be incredibly useful to the Warriors.
Hastings, for all his promise, is still a very green flyhalf, having played barely 30 professional games of rugby. Hastings sometimes has a habit of overplaying his hand and while there’s plenty to like about a young player who is willing to take a chance from inside his own 22, Hastings is still learning when it would be better to take the safe option. At times you can still tell that the Edinburgh-born 10 cut his teeth as a fullback during his earlier years.
Cruden, revered for his creativity and playmaking ability, is a natural 10, through and through. His small stature (175cm and 84kg) requires him to think a little faster than the behemoths he’s usually tasked with opposing – both forwards and backs – and has forced him to develop the skills that aren’t dependant on size, strength or even outright speed.
Hastings, a handy 10cm taller than Cruden, has been able to rely on his top-end pace to paper over some of the cracks in his game. Under Cruden’s tutelage, Hastings could well develop into the kind of 10 that could lead Glasgow to another championship – or perhaps take over from Russell for Scotland when the time comes.
The other big advantage to Glasgow of bringing in a foreign first five is that they will have an experienced operator available to take the field when international rugby pulls the Warriors’ Scottish representatives from the squad. Hastings, although clearly second fiddle to Russell, has been unavailable for Glasgow at various times throughout the last season due to international commitments – something that won’t be an issue for Cruden due to the All Blacks selection policy.
There is, of course, the concern that Cruden isn’t the same player he was when he left New Zealand’s shores a year and a half ago. Is Cruden likely to fair any better in Glasgow than he has in Montpellier, injuries wise? And even if Cruden is able to remain fit, has his game been depleted due to the countless weeks he has spent on the side lines?
Glasgow coach Rennie probably knows Cruden better than almost anyone, having coached the first five for the New Zealand U20 team, Manawatu and the Chiefs.
When Cruden and Rennie parted ways at the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season, Cruden was quick to sing Rennie’s praises, commenting on how important the affable coach was to his development as a rugby player and a person.
“Lots of the boys think it’s a father-son relationship,” Cruden said at the time. “They give me a bit of stick about being the coach’s son…but he was one guy who gave me an opportunity when a few people wouldn’t.
“He’s certainly been more than a just a coach to me. He’s been a mentor and I am very thankful for the opportunity to have worked with Rens.”
Perhaps what Cruden need to rediscover his magic is the unwavering support of a man like Rennie, who has always been able to bring out the best in the flyhalf.
In the coming days all will certainly be revealed, but even if we don’t see the due of Aaron Cruden and Dave Rennie reunite at Glasgow, it’s worth wondering whether Cruden’s time in the Northern Hemisphere would have played out any differently with the backing of a father-like figure such as Rennie as coach, instead of playing for a rich, who’s who of former internationals in the south of France.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments