The sight of him dropping back into the pocket to slot a drop-goal was almost revelatory. All Blacks, knockout rugby and drop goals have never been easy bedfellows.
In terms of the battle of the No 10s, it was a mismatch. While Quade Cooper flubbed his way around Eden Park, Cruden looked in command. So which one was making just his second test start?
Cruden's graduation to the All Blacks was a heartwarming tale of triumph over cancer.
The fairytale did not extend, however, to his debut against the Wallabies in Sydney. Australia exposed his physical and mental frailties to the point where Graham Henry took him off with 20 minutes remaining and the match in the balance.
It was a performance that spooked Henry and Wayne Smith. Cruden was not picked for the end-of-year tour - a mistake in hindsight - and muddled his way through the early rounds of the Super 15 for the Hurricanes.
All of a sudden something clicked and he hasn't really looked back. Cruden has started to look like the first-five people believed he could be.
Last night's performance will go a long way to not only soothe those short-term nerves but answer the long-term question of succession.
The All Black selectors might have fluked it, but they've found a winner.
