All Blacks: Cruden tip as backup No 10

All Blacks are likely to persist with the Manawatu pivot. Photo / Getty Images

It's rarely been any different since Daniel Carter took over the All Black No 10 jersey.

When fit, Carter has been a cast-iron selection certainty. Settling on his deputy has been another issue. That was six years and 78 All Black tests ago.

Andrew Mehrtens and Carlos Spencer were siphoned off so Carter could make an uninhibited 2004 start to his five-eighths portfolio.

His sidekicks since have been Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister, Leon MacDonald, Nick Evans, Stephen Donald, Mike Delany, Aaron Cruden and Colin Slade.

None has lingered for any great time. So is Cruden the man, will Slade make the end of year trip or someone else?

The Herald quizzed a number of former senior five-eighths who believed Graham Henry and his panel would persevere with Cruden as long as he stacked up in the ITM Cup in the next month.

There were variations with several wishing Cruden and Slade could both go to either learn from Carter or play more if he were left at home.

Carter is due to be fit after recent ankle surgery and like nine others has been excused matchplay until the tour starts in Hong Kong against the Wallabies late next month.

Meanwhile the evaluation of Cruden, Slade, Donald and Delany as backup will go up a notch.

Former All Black pivots Jon Preston and Simon Culhane questioned whether Carter and two deputies could be included in a 30-strong tour party.

If not they wondered if there was some merit in leaving Carter behind so the others, probably Cruden and Slade, could be better evaluated.

"It's a toughie," said Preston. "They have favoured Cruden ... but Slade did well in Sydney."

Former dual international Frano Botica felt the selectors had to stick with Cruden and play him in a few tests.

"He has had only one start, they have got to give him more but the others' form might change that," he said.

Culhane would like to see Carter mentor both Cruden and Slade on tour. Cruden had been in the environment and should carry on while Slade had a great set of skills and maturity about his play.

"I guess at international level we don't know about these guys until we give them a chance," he said.

Chiefs' coach and longtime Waikato five-eighths Ian Foster felt Cruden would make the trip where his kicking skills could be improved.

"There is no clear evidence of the backup [to Carter] so the next weeks will be very important in the remainder of the ITM Cup," he said.

Former test supremo Grant Fox said Cruden would be chosen. He had shown good defence in Sydney, made a start to his career and could work hard on his kicking on tour.

Similar thoughts came from occasional All Black pivot Walter Little.

"They have spent a lot of time and effort with Cruden. He has been there all year, learned all their patterns and he is a specialist.

"He and the panel will learn a lot about each other on tour, remember how it took Nonu a long time to get to grips with test rugby."

This season Carter's deputy has been the 21-year-old Cruden.

He was given the nod at the end of the Super 14 with Donald and Delany out of action with long-term injuries.

Since then Cruden has been used five times from the bench before, with Carter injured, he started the final Tri-Nations tests in Sydney before being subbed by Slade.

The Crusaders five-eighths looked composed after what must have been an incredibly anxious wait on the bench and was there to help guide the All Blacks to their narrow victory.

Can we read anything into those performances? Did that test alter or reinforce the selectors' thoughts about the end of year tour?

Slade, Donald and Delany are going around in the ITM Cup now while Cruden is scheduled to return in a fortnight.

An assessment of their work and some crystal ball-gazing will be revealed on October 17 when the All Blacks squad is announced for their end of year tour.

* Joe Rokocoko, the most capped wing in All Blacks history, has ended speculation about his future by extending his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union until the end of 2011.

The 27-year-old yesterday also re-signed with Auckland and will again play for the Blues in next year's expanded Super 15 competition.

"I am really enjoying my rugby here at home and am keen to continue playing throughout the rest of the year and into 2011," said Rokocoko, who has played 66 tests.

He said a desire to take part in next year's World Cup tournament in New Zealand played a part in his decision.

"It's obviously going to be a massive year for New Zealand rugby next year and I want to be part of it."

Rokocoko, who has started in six tests this year, made his All Blacks debut as a 19-year-old in 2003.