Third-choice first-five, first-class performance. Aaron Cruden's effort in guiding the All Blacks to victory over Australia in the Rugby World Cup semi final has received a few plaudits but perhaps the praise he will appreciate most came from halfback Piri Weepu.
Stepping into the breach vacated by Dan Carter andthen Colin Slade can't have been easy for the 22-year-old from Palmerston North. But his calmness in the semifinal win over the Wallabies after getting his first taste of a Rugby World Cup only the previous week against Argentina has been revelatory.
He mixed his play against the Aussies, running and passing when appropriate and taking on the defence with flashing feet and a fair bit of bravery. Slotting a drop goal after 22 minutes to push the score out to 11-3 was impressive too.
Certainly, former Hurricanes' teammate Weepu was singing his praises afterwards.
"What can I say you know, he stepped up,'' Weepu said. "He prepared well during the week. He stayed off his skateboard. I guess it's great to have that support of Ma'a [Nonu] outside him and myself on the inside and him working with Richie [McCaw] and getting everything clear for him so that when he goes out on the field all he has to do is play.
"Before the game we said to him `they're going to target you, but don't worry, we'll support you and we've got your back'. He stepped up, I think he made all his tackles when they went up his channel and he did a really good job running the cutter.''
And this in Cruden's first start since his horror game against the same opposition in Sydney last year. The Manawatu player has matured since he was dragged from that match in favour of Slade and isn't as eager to impress which has helped his game enormously.
As for Weepu, it wasn't quite the dominant performance of a week earlier against Argentina when he took the game by the scruff of the neck, but there were mitigating circumstances.
He had been "blocked up'' during the week and was sick on the sideline after being substituted for Andy Ellis after 74 minutes, but he had to go back out as a blood bin replacement for the Crusaders' player, and kicked the final points to push the margin out to 20-6.
"I tried to battle through it but it didn't quite work out,'' Weepu said of his sickness. "Hopefully I will get over it in the next day or two.
"I guess Andy's nose isn't quite straight but I had to get out there and slot over a penalty and it felt good.''
Weepu said the overall lift in performance from the All Blacks was the one aspect that most impressed him. He said the victory was built on "a great set piece, being physical at breakdown''.
He added: "I think we turned a lot of ball over. The Aussies had their star or their threat [David] Pocock at the breakdown but I guess we were able to stay on top of that.
"I felt we wanted it a bit more and I guess we showed that tonight.''
