There is a reason why Aaron Cruden's All Black-ship has already sailed
Aaron Cruden didn’t end up in France by accident.
His behaviour, for a start, had become an embarrassment and distraction to the Chiefs and All Blacks, never mind the quality of his rugby.
Cruden is a good player and it’s nice that he’s getting a Super Rugby farewell, but let’s not use a game and a half of footy as the basis to re-write history.
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The first five-eighth had a poor series against the British and Irish Lions in 2017. Cast in the role of finisher, Cruden’s performances off the bench lacked authority and accuracy and (even worse) took too much ball out of Beauden Barrett’s hands.
If All Blacks coach Steve Hansen had his time again, you suspect he’d have kept Barrett at 10 in those games rather than pushing him out to fullback to accommodate the ineffective Cruden.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie was one of the all-time Aaron Cruden enthusiasts, dating back to their days in Manawatu. But even he came around to the idea that Damian McKenzie deserved to be the Chiefs’ first-five instead.
So off Cruden went to club football in France where, almost from the very beginning, reports emerged that his body was breaking down and form was ordinary.
Would he come back to New Zealand? Maybe he could reunite with Rennie, now that he’d gone to Scotland? Anywhere but France – where no-one appeared to rate him – sounded like a good option.
The Kobelco Steelers, in Japan, offered the 31-year-old a superannuation plan, after Montpellier got rid of him early, which has also afforded him a stint back with the Chiefs.
Again, that’s nice. When a team and player have shared some good times, no-one begrudges them wanting to get back together again.
But let’s not forget why Cruden left or pretend he’s played nothing but blinders all his life. Sure, he was handy in the Chiefs’ week two win over the Crusaders but compared to who? The fullback filling in at first five-eighth for the other team?
If Cruden, even at this stage of his career, isn’t a better 10 than David Havili, then he needn’t worry about semi-retirement in Japan. He should give the game away entirely.
What about week one, when Cruden got lucky with a kick or two in the comeback win over the Blues? Overall he was okay, but anyone can look a real game manager when the opposition first-fives are the erratic Stephen Perofeta and Harry Plummer.
The idea that these performances merit Cruden selection in the All Blacks – notwithstanding the inconvenient fact he’s contracted in Japan – is just laughable. I get that we’re all in the hyperbole business and talking points, no matter how absurd, help generate online clicks, but let’s not make fools of ourselves.
The fact that new All Blacks head coach Ian Foster was prepared to entertain the idea, while making a television appearance last week, probably speaks for itself.
Watch: Ian Foster discusses whether Cruden will be considered for the All Blacks
New Zealand’s best first five-eighth – Beauden Barrett – is yet to play this season, while heir apparent Richie Mo’unga has had a couple of outings. Not fit enough to kick goals, Mo’unga still looked pretty bloody useful as the Crusaders beat the Blues last Friday.
Beyond them, McKenzie will be a pivotal playmaking option for the All Blacks this year, having recovered from knee surgery. On 2018’s Northern Tour, McKenzie was just about New Zealand’s only attacking threat and, barring injury, you imagine he would have played fullback again last year with Barrett at first five-eighth.
With Mo’unga offering an option off the bench, that’s surely all the game-drivers the All Blacks need. If not, then there’s always room for a Jordie Barrett or Havili in the reserves as well.
Quite why Cruden would be required too is a mystery.
That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy his Super Rugby swansong. In all honesty, with he and McKenzie in the mix, and Warren Gatland as head coach, the Chiefs ought to be good enough to win the whole competition.
But that’s enough. There’s no need to add a final All Blacks chapter as well.
Some guys leave New Zealand before their time. They have family or financial issues to consider, or a rival player or unsympathetic coach blocking their way.
Cruden’s not one of those. He’d been given a good crack – 50 tests worth to be exact – without ever quite making the All Blacks’ No.10 jersey his own.
It’s been a good career and he should be proud, but let’s leave it at that.
Former Hurricane Michael Fatialofa makes a massive step towards recovery:
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
24 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments