All Blacks: Cruden struggles in first start

Aaron Cruden in action against Australia. Photo / Getty Images

Much has been gushed about the rise of Aaron Cruden into the All Blacks ranks as the heir apparent to first five-eighths Dan Carter.

The balance between how much his selection is wishful thinking or clinical observation remains unclear.

Last night's hour-long first start in the black jersey for the 21-year-old provided ample evidence that it is not going to be an easy transition if he is to be the long-term future No 10.

Cruden has pedigree. His fortitude is unquestionable, having survived testicular cancer and shown exceptional skill at age group level, leading the New Zealand team last year to the junior world championship and being named IRB junior player of the year.

However, test match rugby is a tough set of circumstances to master. Despite having five caps to his credit as a substitute for Carter, Cruden had a tepid run-on debut.

But that was not entirely Cruden's fault.

Carter has had a blissful ride this season behind a pack that has largely been going forward. He has also been the recipient of some snappy passing from Jimmy Cowan.

Cruden was faced with a fired-up Australian side living in fear of an unprecedented 10th straight loss to the All Blacks.

Their forwards were spirited and that was borne out in the determined performance of their backs.

Holes opened in the All Blacks defence, they suffered handling errors and gave away penalties.

Piri Weepu was the logical person to take over the goalkicking duties but his hesitancy on the pass, often taking a couple of steps sideways to lure in the Australian defence, was not what Cruden needed.

He needed time and depth. He would have welcomed sharper passes, especially with his team going backwards.

Cruden's performance was also blighted by a series of inconsistent kick-offs.

He failed to give the ball enough depth or height, meaning it was easy pickings for the Australians who could set themselves up strongly.

He also produced a couple of ordinary left footers in the 57th minute which the Wallabies countered with ease.

But Crudent also took some good options.

In the eighth minute he weighted a deft grubber behind the Australian defence which was only just defused. He also opted to chip into space in the midfield in the 22nd minute which had merit.

Weepu also retrieved a Cruden effort in the 53rd minute. He needs time to develop, which will no doubt occur in the Northern Hemisphere in November and in a Hurricanes jersey from February.

Cruden does not look to have quite the presence of contemporaries who played last night such as Israel Dagg, James O'Connor, Kurtley Beale or Quade Cooper.

The biggest fear is that he takes on the persona of a Simon Mannix from the early 1990s. He was deemed "the chosen one" to take over from Grant Fox after Frano Botica went to league. Mannix failed to meet expectations, playing one test and eight games before heading to Europe aged 25, never to return at the highest level.

The selectors need to ensure history does not repeat.