First take: Cruden claims individual battle

Aaron Cruden leaps over Mitchell Drummond's tackle during the Chiefs' clash with the Crusaders. Photo / Getty

Aaron Cruden would have wanted a big game, facing the man that could spoil his World Cup, and the Chiefs pivot did indeed impress.

But there was little Cruden could have done against the Crusaders to ensure he remained ahead of Colin Slade in the All Black' pecking order.

That Cruden can control a game and lead his side to an encouraging victory is not the issue - it's his ability to change a game and provide spark off the bench that will remain in question throughout the Super Rugby season.

Cruden already appeared in mid-season form while helping the Chiefs to a four-try win that maintained their early unbeaten record. While he missed the entire pre-season before beating the Brumbies, Cruden showed little rust as the Chiefs racked up the most points they have ever managed against the Crusaders.

But the 26-year-old will need several more performances of that ilk to dislodge the similarly-firing Beauden Barrett when the first All Blacks XV of the year is named. And that task may be exactly what's required of him ahead of the World Cup, with Colin Slade's versatility off the bench shaping as an appealing prospect.

Cruden still has plenty of time to forge ahead of his Hurricanes counterpart, particularly while playing inside of Sonny Bill Williams in a Chiefs side seemingly back in championship form.

The pair linked well on several occasions tonight, always choosing the right option in favour of overplaying their hand. Cruden had already found a hole up the middle when his second successful bust led to the game's opening try, stepping inside one tackler and leaping over another.

He showed quick hands when the situation called for them and cleverly delayed his pass on another occasion to again link with Williams in the move that eventually led to the Chiefs' third.

The only black mark would have been with the boot. While he was generally strong kicking from hand - aside from one skewed clearance that created an opportunity the Crusaders duly converted - his goal-kicking left something to be desired.

Questions were raised last year about Cruden's accuracy and, after making five from five against the Brumbies, he did little to assuage concerns with a mixed effort that saw him land six-from-nine tonight.

Goal-kicking might edge a close battle between he and Barrett - which, despite out-playing Slade tonight, could very well see the Crusaders man preferred.