Cruden was out of rugby for 10 months and missed the Rugby World Cup after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee playing for the Chiefs almost exactly a year ago.
"I'd like to think I am pretty close to 100 per cent. Having 10 months out was a little bit challenging and there was always going to be a teething process I guess and taking a little bit of time to come back in this year.
"But I am really happy with the way the recovery's gone and how I have built throughout the season. Now that the knee is feeling strong and the body is feeling good then hopefully over the next few weeks and the rest of the competition I can just continue to contribute and perform to what we are ultimately trying to achieve here as a Chiefs team."
The Chiefs' 28-27 victory over the Hurricanes last weekend was more than a little fortuitous.
Cruden said "it is definitely a better feeling to win by one than lose by one".
"It was very important as every win is. We were coming off the bye and the Hurricanes were coming off some good form so we were under no illusions that it was going to be an extremely tough game and that was certainly the case.
"Wellington has not been a happy hunting ground for us in the last few seasons. Although we weren't at times as clinical as we would like to be and we probably let ourselves down in certain areas, we will certainly take the one-point victory."
Tomorrow night in New Plymouth the Chiefs take on the Sharks who have won four games and are chock-full of Springboks.
Cruden said the Sharks would be happy with how they had been playing on tour.
"They were pretty unlucky to lose to the Blues and then to get down to Dunedin last week and beat the Highlanders was a great result for them. For us we are aware they have threats right across the park.
"Obviously for them it starts up front, they have a big forward pack and a lot of guys who like to mix it up in those physical exchanges and they have some pretty classy backs out wide as well with a lot of pace."
Meanwhile, halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow's All Blacks ambitions have been hit by a broken hand which will rule him out of the game until after the June test window.
Kerr-Barlow suffered the injury during last weekend's win over the Hurricanes when his fist made contact with Cruden's head during a tackle.
Cruden suffered a cut head but carried on, as did Kerr-Barlow, only for the fracture to be diagnosed recently.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie confirmed the injury to media yesterday.
It is the latest in a series of injuries for Kerr-Barlow, who has already missed several matches this season because of concussion.
Adding to Rennie's injury issues, wing James Lowe and midfielder Charlie Ngatai are again unavailable due to shoulder injuries.
Chiefs team v Sharks: Mitchell Graham, Hika Elliot, Hiroshi Yamashita, Dominic Bird, Brodie Retallick, Taleni Seu, Sam Cane, Michael Leitch, Brad Weber, Aaron Cruden, Sam McNicol, Anton Lienert-Brown, Seta Tamanivalu, Toni Pulu, Damian McKenzie. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Siate Tokolahi, Kane Hames, James Tucker, Lachlan Boshier, Kayne Hammington, Andrew Horrell, Shaun Stevenson.
Not considered for selection: Nepo Laulala, Mitchell Karpik, Augustine Pulu, Johan Bardoul, Pauliasi Manu, Sam Henwood, James Lowe, Tevita Koloamatangi, Charlie Ngatai, Michael Allardice, Tom Sanders, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Maama Vaipulu, Atu Moli and Glen Fisiiahi.
