RUGBY - Dad proud of comeback kid Cruden

There was a huge sigh of relief from Taradale rugby mentor Stu Cruden as his son Aaron flew to Japan with the New Zealand under-20 side last Saturday.
Aaron, a 2008 Manawatu Turbos first five-eighth, hadn't had much luck with national age-group teams in the past. A bout of tuberculosis ruined any chance he had of making the New Zealand Secondary Schools side during his days at Palmerston North Boys' High School and last year he missed the cut-off date for the New Zealand under-20s because his birthday was seven days later, rendering him too young.
Because of his age he had to wait a little longer than he had hoped before making his debut for the Turbos.
But that's nowhere near half the story behind the reasons for his dad's relief. Aaron was diagnosed with testicular cancer in August last year and underwent intensive chemotherapy after an initial operation to remove a testicle. He only received the all-clear from his doctor to resume training back in March and, although free of the disease, for now he will still require regular blood tests and scans to ensure there is no re-occurrence.
Cruden snr said his son spent six days a week in hospital when he was receiving the chemotherapy.
"I would go down and spend nights with him. We were always hopeful he would make a full recovery and there was a 50/50 chance ... making this New Zealand under-20 side was the drive for him.
"Aaron has never spoke about any other job apart from rugby ... he lives and breathes rugby," said Cruden snr, who coached Taradale to Maddison Trophy glory in 2006 and 2007 and manages the team this season.
While making the under-20s was a huge feat, Aaron still had to pass a fitness test after collecting a knee injury in the final trial. He missed last week's warm-up game in Auckland - a 32-12 win against the Samoan under-20s.
There was more for the Cruden family to celebrate when the team assembled in Auckland last week. Aaron, a third generation member of his family to play for College Old Boys in Manawatu, was named captain.
"I was so proud," said Cruden snr, a former Manawatu, Taranaki and Wairarapa Bush representative who captained the New Zealand Divisional XV in 1992.
"He had no idea he was in line for the captaincy. At one stage there was talk Trent might get it," said Cruden referring to Napier Technical loosie Trent Boswell-Wakefield.
The New Zealand under-20 side, which includes Clive hooker Shae Tamati, Magpies winger Zac Guildford and the Napier Technical duo of Boswell-Wakefield and lock Leighton Price, open their World Cup against Uruguay in Nagoya tomorrow. Their other pool games are against Ireland on Tuesday and Argentina on June 13. The tournament ends with a June 21 final in Tokyo.