Rugby: Cruden's class is difficult to measure

Aaron Cruden. Photo / Getty Images

If you were going to be harsh, you'd say his kicking out of hand lacks real distance or accuracy, his goalkicking is average to poor and his lack of physical presence attracts defensive scrutiny.

They're some fairly fundamental flaws in the make-up of a modern five-eighths, but they miss the central narrative of the Aaron Cruden saga.

More important is the fact the Hurricanes have won the past four games while averaging 33 points per match, a run that coincided with his elevation to the first five-eighths role.

Even more so, the Hurricanes look better when he is wearing the No 10 because he has that rare ability to find open ground with his footwork and passing.

That means Ma'a Nonu has found himself with a fraction more room and time, creating a ripple effect that has Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear and Cory Jane looking like the most potent back three in the competition.

Cruden has played every match in his rookie season, joining captain Andrew Hore, props Neemia Tialata and John Schwalger, Bryn Evans, Michael Paterson and Nonu as the only Hurricanes to achieve that feat. What has stuck in the craw of many is Cruden has made seven of his 12 appearances off the pine, often too late to stamp his authority and class on the game.

The feeling is Colin Cooper's conservative nature has been counterproductive, and while Willie Ripia is decent, he was never going to lead the Canes to a championship.

It might be a fair cop, but the wonderful thing with hindsight is you'll never be proved wrong.

Perhaps, rather than hindering the side, the gentle easing of Cruden into Super 14 has been the very thing that has allowed him to look so at home. Any player will tell you the chasm between the national provincial championship and the Super 14 is vast, something that cannot be bridged in a couple of games.

It's not a popular theory to be advancing in the capital at the moment, but perhaps Cruden getting 20 minutes here and there through the first nine rounds is the reason why he has been able to guide his team around so effectively in the past month.

It's an unprovable argument, but one thing that will put an end to the sniping is the Hurricanes winning a few more games in 2010.

Then it won't just be Cruden looking like a genius.