Rugby: Cruden sure to be in demand

Gifted first five-eighths are high on the shopping lists of big city teams and New Zealand under-20s captain Aaron Cruden is sure to be one of them.

The Blues made brief contact with Cruden, who is off contract with Manawatu at the end of this year, although Cruden says talks have not continued.

He was the story of the world championship in Japan. Diagnosed with testicular cancer just before Manawatu challenged Auckland for the Ranfurly Shield in August, he made a remarkable comeback, leading New Zealand to the title and being named the IRB's junior player of the year, less than a year after receiving what he described as the "scary" cancer news.

Cruden had one testicle removed and underwent nine weeks of gruelling chemotherapy late last year. The treatment involved cycles of a week in hospital - permanently on a chemotherapy drip - then two weeks at home. Even during those fortnights, Cruden needed daily hospital visits and shorter periods of chemotherapy.

He has been medically cleared and is drug-free, although checks continue.

Cruden said finding out he had cancer was frightening. "The word cancer is pretty terrifying," he said. "To be told something like that when you are 19 years old is scary. But the medical staff were outstanding and I couldn't have wished for more from them."

His Manawatu and New Zealand coach Dave Rennie talks about Cruden's courage. "He is a very determined young man and his positive attitude was impressive.

"He was able to do a little bit of training and didn't lose too much weight, which was fortunate.

"He just had to manage the situation, relying on how he was feeling to work out how much work to put in.

"It was easy for those of us not directly involved to tell him he needed to be strong but he was the one who had to do it. As soon as he got the all clear, he was back into training quickly trying to make up for lost time.

"It's been a big challenge in his life and it has also highlighted to a lot of young men that cancer is not just an old man's disease. Hopefully it has raised awareness."

Cruden said New Zealand's 2008 under-20 team had set a high standard in winning the title but his side knew they couldn't ride on those coat tails.

"I'm very proud of what we achieved and it was a real honour to lead the side. I think it has helped me mature a bit," he said modestly.

How long Cruden, whose father Stu is a former Manawatu captain, remains at Manawatu is uncertain. The provinces are not ideal homes for players with All Black aspirations. You would bet on Cruden moving.

He hopes to stay in the Hurricanes' region, but says that is not a necessity or certainty. If offers come in, he will sit down with his family and work out what is best.