All Blacks: Stepping into Carter's boots

First five-eighths Aaron Cruden passes the ball as the All Blacks train in Sydney yesterday. Photo / Getty Images

Challenges do not come much greater than testicular cancer for a teenager, especially a rugby-mad one like Aaron Cruden.

Perhaps that explains his upbeat view about his first test start on Saturday, against the Wallabies in Sydney.

He is confident but not outspoken; he is excited, forthright and ready to play.

That, says Cruden, is the best part: the time when the nerves evaporate and he can perform what he has been chosen to do - guide the All Blacks round the field in Dan Carter's absence.

Cruden, now 21, and his Wallaby opposite Quade Cooper are both on an upward curve in their fledgling test careers. Neither has yet started one of the transtasman duels.

Cooper maintained he was under no extra pressure to help manufacture a Wallaby victory to halt the All Blacks' unbeaten 14-test run and nine-match streak against the Wallabies.

"Everyone says I haven't played them, but at the same time I haven't lost against them," the Tokoroa-born five-eighths said.

The All Black hooker from the same town, Keven Mealamu, is troubled by a leg strain and that, along with assistant coach Steve Hansen's late arrival because his house was damaged in the Christchurch quake, means the All Blacks have delayed their team announcement until tomorrow.

Cruden is a definite, though, a pick signalled by Graham Henry as soon as Carter went in for ankle surgery after the Tri-Nations series victory in Soweto.

It is a remarkable rise for Cruden, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2008 aged 19, recovered and helped New Zealand win the international under-20s global title last year and made the leap to the All Blacks this season.

"All New Zealand kids running round want to be All Blacks, and now that I am here, it is something I will never take for granted especially the road I have had to take to get here," he said yesterday.

This week was all about understanding his roles in the gameplan. He was helped by Piri Weepu, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Cory Jane all from the Hurricanes.

"It is a bit of a different feel. My experiences with the All Blacks have been off the bench and now that I'm going to get a start a lot of responsibility goes on my shoulders as first five," he said.

The All Black gameplan would not alter because of Cruden's uninhibited attacking style, they would make adjustments to keep the Wallabies on edge. Carter had been a colossal All Black and a huge help to Cruden, who admitted he might have annoyed the world's best five-eighths as he pestered him for information. He would not call Carter this week, but would quiz him later for a review.

"My style is, I like to just get out there and play footy," he said. "You probably find you get a lot more pressure during the week than when you are out on the field. When you get out there it is another game, another rugby field with some other opposition and you just want to get out there and do what you love."

Given the chance he would also love to do the goalkicking. Cruden is sure he will be a target on the inside channels as Carter had been against the Wallabies in Christchurch.

He said he felt honoured and humbled to be an inspiration to other cancer sufferers.

"I had to mature a lot quicker, I take nothing for granted because you do not know when your time is up or how long you are going to be around."