Rugby: Cruden provides highlights in Manawatu win

Aaron Cruden of Manawatu. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks first five-eighth Aaron Cruden showed his class by almost single-handedly propelling Manawatu to a 20-8 win over Tasman in an underwhelming ITM Cup match in Palmerston North today.

It shaped as a dance of the desperates and that is exactly how the match panned out, at least until Cruden sparked into life in the second half.

With his team trailing 3-8 after a forgettable first 40 minutes, Cruden made a crucial linebreak which led to lock Fraser Stone crashing over next to the posts, handing the home team their first lead.

Ten minutes later Cruden provided the highlight of an otherwise scrappy match, jinking his way past four defenders in heavy traffic to score and push Manawatu's lead beyond seven points.

They held on to register their first win against Tasman from five attempts, climbing two places from last to 12th, while Tasman drop to 13th - only ahead of Otago - following a sixth successive loss since back-to-back wins against Canterbury and Hawke's Bay.

Hopes Manawatu and Tasman would release the shackles with their fate for next season sealed - both teams are destined for the bottom seven - were dashed as they struggled to maintain possession long enough to mount any pressure.

Manawatu coach Dave Rennie best summed up the first half when he described it as "horrible" during his halftime television interview.

Cruden and his Tasman counterpart, James Marshall, traded penalties in a error-ridden first 40 minutes before Tasman finally provided a highlight two minutes before halftime, crossing for the first try.

Some neat interplay by fullback Tom Marshall and halfback Kaide Whiting down a right wing blindside ended with Tom Marshall dashing 40m to score his third try of the season.

Tasman's 8-3 lead was shortlived, however, with Cruden coming into his own in the second half.

It was hardly vintage rugby from either side but Cruden managed to rise above the mediocrity to give the Manawatu faithful something to cheer.

Manawatu 20 (Fraser Stone, Aaron Cruden tries; Cruden 2 pen, 2 con) Tasman 8 (Tom Marshall try; James Marshall pen). Halftime: 3-8.

- NZPA