Cruden starts for Chiefs, Mo’unga injured
Aaron Cruden surely had to start at No 10 against the Crusaders.
While Chiefs coach Warren Gatland says he contemplated keeping ex-All Black Cruden on the bench for the Super Rugby match against the Crusaders in Hamilton tomorrow night, he has elected to insert him in his runon side against the titleholders.
Most Chiefs fans, if not all, will be relieved to learn this as they prepare to welcome the tough little playmaker back to the ground where he guided the club to titles in 2012 and 2013.
Although Cruden proved to be of significant value as an impact player when he replaced Kaleb Trask in the second half of the 37-29 victory over the Blues in Auckland last weekend, there is potential for him to be so much better if he’s on deck from the opening whistle.
Cruden, who left New Zealand to play in France in 2017, plucked a variety of tricks out of his arsenal in his comeback game last weekend.
In addition to kicking three conversions, a penalty, a drop goal and providing a try-assist he offered a calm attitude as the Chiefs ran down the Blues who were forced to replace key players Patrick Tuipulotu and Rieko Ioane, as part of the NZ Rugby protocols for All Blacks, in the second spell.
Despite the Crusaders being the favourites to win this, given their pedigree and the fact they have won the last three titles that is understandable, the Chiefs shouldn’t lack confidence after they endured a torrid first half to overwhelm the Blues.
Yet Gatland said he wasn’t convinced that he needed to drill into Cruden’s intellectual property from the opening minute for this blockbuster.
Instead he considered whether to bring him off the bench, again.
‘‘We talked about that. That’s been the discussion we have been having, not just for this game but prior to this season started,’’ Gatland said.
‘‘And just how important benches are in the modern game. I know from my experience with Wales, we developed a little bit of depth within the squad and probably sometimes we had better players coming off the bench.’’
Clearly, the temptation to launch Cruden into action immediately was too strong; however, his match-up against All Blacks incumbent Richie Mo’unga will not take place, with the latter ruled out with injury.
Gatland has also elected to start Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi at halfback ahead of Brad Weber, and midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown will start at No 12 alongside centre Quinn Tupaea.
All Black Damian McKenzie, who didn’t play the Blues because of a groin strain late in the week, has been passed fit to start at fullback.
The news for All Blacks prop Nepo Laulala isn’t good; he will be out for six weeks with a medial ligament injury and joins fellow international prop Angus Ta’avao in the casualty ward.