All Blacks: Sharp Cruden cut down in full flow

Aaron Cruden of the All Blacks offloads the ball during the International Test Match between New Zealand and Ireland. Photo / Getty Images.

Aaron Cruden says he can't remember playing 20 minutes like it. Unfortunately for him, though, he was a bystander for the rest of the All Blacks' record victory over Ireland as he nursed an Achilles injury which could have repercussions for the rest of the season.

Despite feeling the effects of the injury after about only 10 minutes, Cruden's combination with Sonny Bill Williams in the 60-0 win at Waikato Stadium resulted in two tries for his Chiefs teammate. And that was after he had put another franchise mate, flanker Sam Cane, over for his first test try. The three converted scores effectively shut Ireland out of the match with an hour remaining.

Shortly after Williams scored his second, Cruden limped from the field. Officially it was to the blood bin to tend to a cut under his left eye, but the injury to his right leg was of more concern.

Afterwards he revealed that both Achilles had been bothering him this season for the Chiefs. It is not yet known whether the latest problem will prevent him boarding the plane for Dunedin to play the Highlanders on Friday night.

"The warm-up was fine but a slight change in direction early on just flared it up and it seemed to get worse from there," he said.

"Both Achilles get pretty tight at times. It's pretty frustrating. The left one was fine tonight but then the right one flared up.

"I picked it up late last year and I've tried to keep on top of it but they seem to flare up at the worst times."

With Crusaders first-five Dan Carter unable to take part in last night's test in Hamilton due to his hamstring injury suffered during the week, both of New Zealand's top No10s are in the casualty ward with uncertain short-term futures.

Both are imperative to their team's chances in the Super Rugby competition. Cruden was exceptional on his home ground for the All Blacks and will be a big loss to Dave Rennie's men if he is ruled out for any length of time. Carter has been in dominating form too and has been cut down at the worst possible time for the Crusaders.

It remains to be seen whether either will be available for the clash between the two best New Zealand teams in Hamilton on July 6.

In the meantime Beauden Barrett showed he has the talent and poise to comfortably fill the boots of both with an excellent performance off the bench in Hamilton.

"I was rapt for him," Cruden said. "He really showed a calm head and led the boys around the track well. He did everything that was asked of him, I think he went fantastic."

He wasn't the only one. Coach Steve Hansen was thrilled with both 21-year-old Barrett and the response of his players to last week's 22-19 escape act in Christchurch.

The nine-try victory featured an urgency among the forwards that wasn't seen at AMI Stadium and the backs performed accordingly.

The different attitude also showed in defence and for Hansen that was one of the most pleasing things.

"A lot of times when you see games with high scores your defence goes but tonight the team showed their discipline right through the game to defend well," he said.

Captain Richie McCaw concurred: "The attitude and how you turn up is usually reflected in your defence. I think that's where we made the biggest shift this week. We had guys wanting to get in the line and tackle and that's where you force mistakes and force turnovers. To keep that going for 80 minutes and still score those tries, I think that was most pleasing."

All Blacks 60 (Sam Cane 2, Sonny Bill Williams 2, Ben Smith, Hosea Gear, Liam Messam, Israel Dagg, Adam Thomson, tries; Beauden Barrett 3, Aaron Cruden 2, Israel Dagg, cons; Beauden Barrett pen).

Ireland 0

HT: 29-0