Rugby: Cruden can bounce back

Aaron Cruden. Photo / Getty Images

His confidence has been rocked, his form has slipped and since his troubled performance against the Wallabies last September, Aaron Cruden has seemingly been in freefall.

But the 22-year-old has previously shown remarkable depth of character in overcoming cancer and the All Black coaching panel are confident Cruden can rebound and resurrect his season.

Last night's game against the Brumbies was effectively the real beginning of his season and while seven weeks have been wasted, there is still time for Cruden to stake his claim for higher honours.

If that seems doubtful, it is worth remembering that Cruden was not in a dissimilar position this time last year. In his rookie campaign with the Hurricanes, Cruden was carefully managed through the first seven weeks - making cameo appearances off the bench as coach Colin Cooper preferred starting with Willie Ripia. It was only in the last six weeks that Cruden came into his own. In those closing stages, Cruden's confidence soared.

He gave the Hurricanes an attacking edge, structure and, most importantly, victories. A weak series of performances in the middle of the season left the Hurricanes in do-or-die territory six weeks out and Cruden relished the challenge, playing with composure and maturity.

It was that ability to handle the pressure and steer the Hurricanes around the field that won over the All Black selectors.

"We selected Aaron last year because we thought he was a great attacking five-eighth," says All Black assistant coach Wayne Smith. "He played well for us in the appearances he made off the bench but after the game in Sydney where he started, there was a prevailing view around the country that his kicking game and in particular his long kicking game wasn't up to the standard required.

"Some of the problem with that was that a lot of the game was played in the left half of the field and he had to use his left foot a lot. We were quite pleased with the way he played but he did have some work-ons.

"And that is what I think has happened - he has been so focused on trying to fix his weaknesses that he has forgotten to concentrate on his strengths."

Smith has met with Cruden and encouraged him to get back to his natural game - to take the ball flatter, be more aggressive and forceful with possession and remind the country that he can read the game.

His task would unquestionably be easier to accomplish if the Hurricanes weren't in such dismal form. The role of a first five is hard enough as part of a winning team, but with confidence low, expectation high and the Hurricanes unable to find their rhythm and cohesion at the moment, the pressure on Cruden is intense.

Despite being an All Black, his experience at this level is limited, but Smith is of the view that if Cruden wants to regain his international place, he'll respond to the adversity. The pressure of being an All Black is greater and the selectors are only interested in players who can take charge, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Cruden still has enough time to make a more convincing bid for national selection but finding his offensive threat might not be enough. Smith was right when he said the prevailing view about Cruden is that he lacks a long kicking game. Such thinking is not without foundation and while the selectors are obliged to accentuate the positives in any public analysis, privately they too are surely aware that there is an issue with Cruden's fundamentals.

To go into a World Cup with a back-up first five unable to kick his side out of trouble would be an enormous risk. There are also question marks about Cruden's defence - not his bravery or application; just simply the fact that at 1.78m and 85kg, he is light and vulnerable, particularly when most nations will be sending 100kg-plus centres down his channel.

He is a fighter, though, is Cruden - determined, brave and resourceful. He's fallen a long way in the past seven months but he has a chance now to recover ground, to prove the doubters wrong and lead himself and the Hurricanes to a brighter future.