New Zealand v England: How successful battle with cancer turned Aaron ...

“A couple of forwards did have a word with me afterwards, saying they wondered

what the heck I was doing when I tapped,” Cruden said. “But one of the boys

out wide had called that there was space and away we went. You’ve got to

back yourself. That is what you’re there for.”

That is exactly what Cruden is there for, as the catalyst, the clear-headed

director of All Black operations. Dan Carter is acknowledged as the world’s

finest. Cruden (and Barrett behind him) is mounting a challenge to that

status. It was Cruden who spotted instantly what was on when an England

attack broke down last week early in the second half in Dunedin. Whoosh!

Away went the diminutive fly-half, small in size, huge in stature, racing deep

into English territory, where he linked with Julian Savea, who dutifully put

Ben Smith in for New Zealand’s first try.

That was the trigger. Suddenly the All Blacks began to play like All Blacks –

slick, sweeping, potent. Within 20 minutes the game was well and truly gone

for England, even if they did pull back to within a point by the final

whistle. New

Zealand were back in clover.

Cruden believes there is more to come in Hamilton. “That is what the rugby

people know us for and that is the rugby we want to play,” he said. “And we

hope that there is more to come, that this is a beginning, not an end. That

will help kick-start us. We have been sharpening things in training. It will

take something like that again in Hamilton because England have been really

giving it to us in the Tests and there is a sense they will come again. I

can’t wait to rip into it.”

Cruden has been struck by England’s positive approach. He is not one of those

short-sighted southern hemisphere types who caricatures English rugby as

slow and one-dimensional.

“Not at all, mate, not at all, they’re not afraid to give it a crack, just

like us, are not afraid to back themselves. They’ve got X-factor players

across the park. Freddie Burns had a great first Test and I know Danny

Cipriani from his Super Rugby days. He’s unpredictable and hard to read. No,

look, I think Stuart Lancaster has done a fantastic job with English rugby.

They are dangerous in open field. We are definitely aware of that. This has

been a great series.”

Cruden wants to take part in many more. He signed a three-year deal this week

to take him through to 2017. There are no guarantees at all for him. Carter

is on the way back, Barrett is snapping at his heels. Cruden could have

commanded big bucks in either France or Japan. He is staying put. The Lions

series in New Zealand is a draw card.

“Mate, I love the black jersey and I want to fight for my place,” he said.

“That’s what it is all about. The Lions is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,

the sort of thing I dreamt about when I was a little kid. I want to be

involved, to give it a go.”

As he has grown up, Cruden has come to play with huge heart and a zest for

life. There will more of that on show in Hamilton on Saturday.

Aaron Cruden was speaking on behalf of AIG, the official insurance partner of

New Zealand Rugby. Join the conversation @AIGRugby

Article source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/10909804/Nick-Walshes-England-U20s-side-send-out-warning-ahead-of-Junior-World-Championship-final-with-South-Africa.html

New Zealand v England: How successful battle with cancer turned Aaron ...