Time for young gun Aaron Cruden to fire

BY TOBY ROBSON

New Hurricanes first five-eighth Aaron Cruden has long been touted as a rugby star in the making. Toby Robson talks to the new kid on the block.

Where did you grow up?

"I started the first five years in Palmerston North, then moved up to a little town called Wairoa in the Hawke's Bay, then back to Palmy for the last year of intermediate and high school. I went from Palmy to a real small town. It was good to do that, then get back to Palmy, which isn't that much bigger, but was good."

What did mum and dad do?

"Mum worked for Barnardos and Dad ran the meat plant, that's why we moved to Wairoa. My parents split, so that's why we moved back to Palmy, us kids moved back with her."

Are you from a big family?

"Well, sort of. I've got two full-brothers, one older and one younger, plus a half-brother and two stepbrothers."

What's your earliest rugby memory?

Probably breaking my toe kicking a rugby ball around in bare feet. We were running around in the frost, but us kids weren't worried about that, we were just loving getting out there when we were younger.

"I didn't notice till after the game when my toe swelled up. Mum took me to the hospital and we realised I'd fractured it."

Did you have a favourite player?

"I used to play on the wing when I was younger, so I always liked watching Jeff Wilson ... He was one that I probably looked up to as a youngster."

Did you excel at any other sports?

"Not really. I played a bit of touch in the summer for a bit of fitness and a bit of social cricket for something to do with the boys."

You aren't the biggest guy in professional rugby. How do you deal with that?

"I was bigger at high school. Most of it was probably fat, but I've lost a bit of weight since I started training as a professional and obviously when I was sick [with cancer].

"Since I recovered I've pretty much struggled to put weight on, so yeah I have been in the gym trying to bulk up and I'm eating as much as I can. It doesn't seem to be working at the moment, but hopefully it will come with age.

"I'm on the creamed rice and the Creatine and the protein, so it's good. When I'm out there I don't worry about it. I just get stuck in and do what I can, but I'm sure after the games when the body's a bit sore I'll feel it a bit more."

What would you say to a young player at school who isn't so big?

"I didn't start doing any weights till after high school when I got to the Manawatu academy, so maybe start doing some light circuit weights in the fifth form and getting into a good routine. I suppose that helps with muscle growth, so get into it as early as you can."

What's your biggest strength and biggest weakness as a rugby player?

"Biggest strength, probably my ability to scan, my vision. I don't really like talking about myself, but that'd be the strength. Weakness, maybe aspects of my tackling, dropping my head and my goalkicking, which I've been working on through the preseason."

What's your accuracy and range?

"My range has got a lot better, so now I've just got to keep going with the accuracy. I've had a few sessions with Mick the Kick [All Blacks kicking coach Mick Byrne] and things are going all right. It's just confidence and getting into a routine."

You have been dubbed a future star. How do you deal with that expectation?

"I'm my own harshest critic. I do hear the media stuff and I get a bit of flak from the boys back home. I get a few texts from my mates. I'd like to think I'm a pretty grounded person and my partner Grace keeps me grounded too. You are only as good as your next performance, I suppose. You just have to have consistency, so that's what I'm trying to do at the moment. I'll just put my head down and work hard."

You are between Piri Weepu at halfback and Ma'a Nonu at second-five. I imagine they both have a fair bit to say. How do you cope with that as a young player? Have you had the guts to tell them to shut up?

"I don't know about that [laughs]. It's pretty exciting. One thing I've noticed in this team is everybody is expected to play their part and give advice and as much information as they can. Everyone has to lead from one to 15 on the field. Having those two guys, they have a world of experience, so that can only benefit me. I will grow just being around those guys."

Do you have a mentor you go to for advice?

"Not really, but my mum will text me before and after games and she will tell me straight and narrow if I've played well or if there's something I need to work on. She's been doing it since I was a little fella and continues to do it today. It's something I appreciate and I really respect her for it."

Do you have a pet?

"Nah, but when we moved back to Palmy my aunty had a cat called Colombo who we took over really. That's the only pet I've had, but we might look at getting a dog sometime soon. There's quite a few guys here with dogs and they look like quite a bit of fun, so we'll see."

What's on your iPod?

"It's a bit of a mix. There's some slow jams, a bit of R&B, some country and some rock songs. Variation is key."

Do you have any strange game day superstitions?

Nah, I'm pretty casual really. I do always wear my St Christopher necklace and give that a bit of a kiss before I take it off and put in my bag, but that's about it."

In And Outs

In: James Broadhurst (Canterbury), Michael Paterson (Crusaders), Nick Crosswell (Manawatu), Aaron Cruden (Manawatu), Tyson Keats (Canterbury), Anthony Perenise (Highlanders), Andre Taylor (Manawatu) Out: Josh Bradnock (not selected), Tim Fairbrother (Australia), Zac Guildford (Crusaders), Dan Kirkpatrick (Blues), Alby Mathewson (Blues), Api Naikatini and Faifili Levave (Hurricanes wider training group)

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