Rugby: Auckland woo Cruden

Manawatu first-five eighth Aaron Cruden is considering an offer from Auckland. Photo / Getty Images

First it was Jonny Wilkinson, then Juan Martin Hernandez, followed by Dan Carter - Auckland's search for a first five has not lacked ambition. Now they want Aaron Cruden.

The country's richest province desperately trying to lure a world-class first five is a saga of epic proportions. And the end is not in sight.

Wilkinson, the World Cup hero of 2003, didn't give it much thought and joined Toulon.

Hernandez, the star of Argentina's World Cup campaign in 2007, gave it a bit more thought. In the end, though, he opted for the Sharks, where he will play one season before he's expected to return to a major French club.

Carter came closest to signing. Auckland managed to scrape together a staggering $260,000 and there was possibly another $150,000 more in sponsorship to offer the man no one would dispute is the best No 10 of them all.

It was tempting. Very tempting, what with Carter having a house, partner and business interests in Auckland. He couldn't tell his dad, though, that he was giving up the red and blacks to play for Auckland. Really, he couldn't do it.

So Cruden, the 20-year-old World Junior Player of the Year and captain of Manawatu, is the man they are now hunting.

The problem for Auckland - and therefore the Blues - is they have suddenly realised that in signing Dan Bowden and Luke McAlister, they haven't solved their issues at No 10. Bowden could do it but he's more suited to second five. McAlister could do it but he's more suited to second five.

Cruden could definitely do it and he's off contract with Manawatu at the end of the year. Cruden was informally approached in June but is now believed to have a formal offer on the table.

He's giving it serious thought but is understood to have indicated his interest is conditional on Jimmy Cowan coming to the Blues as well.

That doesn't seem likely. Southland chief executive Roger Clark confirmed Cowan is contracted to them until 2012.

He agreed it was possible Cowan could play for the Blues but return to Southland for the provincial championship.

"But Jimmy is captain of the Highlanders and the starting halfback for the All Blacks," said Clark to show that Cowan has not been held back by staying with Southland. "He's a very loyal guy."

Its going to be a difficult decision for Cruden. The New Zealand Rugby Players Association has been encouraging individuals not to jump into making long-term commitments.

The landscape is about to change as franchises will almost certainly be allowed to contract players directly from 2011. NZRPA boss Rob Nichol is also convinced that, when the provincial competition changes next year, it will become an expanded tournament with one division of 10 teams and another with six.

He's pushing for direct promotion and relegation with two teams going up and and down each year and is also confident the NZRU will maintain the funding to ensure all 16 teams can sustain academies and elite performance programmes.

In that scenario, he sees no reason why Cruden can't stay with Manawatu beyond this year. If he does re-sign with the Turbos, then the Hurricanes can put him in their protected 24, which is precisely what they want to do.

Cruden has to be committed to a province beyond this year by October 16.

Which is also the date Chris Jack has to declare his provincial allegiance. The former All Black lock has signed an NZRU contract and is eligible to play Super 14 next year.

It is expected he'll rejoin the Crusaders but that is not certain. Tasman chief executive Peter Barr says he's not sure of Jack's plans although the union would obviously be interested in taking him back.