All Blacks have eye on age-grade star

By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz

As the All Blacks continue to struggle to find an alternative to Daniel Carter, Graham Henry has given a clear tip that New Zealand age-group star Aaron Cruden may not be as far off their radar as many presume.

Cruden was first five-eighth and captain of the New Zealand under-20s who won the world championship in Japan last month. He scored two tries in three minutes during the 44-28 victory over England in the final and was subsequently named the IRB's Player of the Year.

His poised and measured play in the pivot, where he directed the potent New Zealand attack with precision throughout the tournament, won the young Manawatu star many admirers, not to mention the ultimate individual accolade.

His efforts were even more remarkable when it's considered less than a year ago he was going through a course of chemotherapy and battling testicular cancer. Now he's arguably the most sought-after young figure on the New Zealand scene, with Manawatu and Hurricanes officials understandably anxious about retaining him in the region.

He is off contract with Manawatu at the end of this year and interest in him extends not only to Auckland, but apparently as far as Australia. Those dreadful trans-Tasman vultures are said to be circling.

But if Henry's comments are anything to go by, Cruden would be well advised to stay this side of the Tasman. The All Blacks may not be ready to pounce just yet, but they're certainly maintaining a watching brief.

"We're very hopeful that he has a big Air NZ Cup and becomes a consideration," said the All Blacks coach. "He was fabulous I thought in the under-20s. He was world player of the year and ran the ship well.

"Obviously he's got a lot of character. It's thought-provoking, isn't it? But throwing an Aaron Cruden into a Tri-Nations test match would be drawing a fairly long bow.

"Smithy (backs coach Wayne Smith) and I discussed [if]  he was a guy who had a great Air NZ Cup or even a very good one he could be considered in the near future to boost the stocks of quality 10s."

New Zealand is not exactly renowned for throwing youngsters to the wolves too early, especially in such a crucial position as five-eighth. Even a talent as outrageous as Carter was eased in via stints at No 12 in both Super 14 and test rugby.

It's usually thought young players of quality are best left to gather experience and physical maturity in the lower levels, before getting the international callup.

Jonah Lomu and Isaia Toeava are the two obvious exceptions in recent times, but both played in less influential positions and, besides, struggled initially anyway.

The only reason that Cruden's name is even being mentioned in despatches - aside from his obvious talent - is the paucity of quality No 10s around as Carter works through his recovery from achilles tendon surgery.

Stephen Donald is the anointed first-choice, but is struggling at the moment with a hamstring injury. The jury still remains out, too, on whether he can play consistently at test level.

Utility Luke McAlister is set to start at No 10 against the Wallabies on July 18, but after a horror show there against Italy he gets the spot more by default than design.

The next two cabs off the rank are Cantabs Stephen Brett and Colin Slade. Henry said Brett had "made some strides" for the Junior All Blacks, but his goalkicking, defence and option-taking under pressure make him a less than cast-iron option.

The All Blacks coaches are known to be enamoured of Slade, particularly his more intrinsic qualities such as toughness, tackling ability and speed. But the Crusaders had no faith in him there during this year's Super 14 and even Henry admits "he needs time in that position to develop".

Henry called for some patience from critics, pointing out that playing five-eighth in the modern game is much more challenging than in previous eras.

"It's not so demanding from set-play situations, but in phase-play situations when you're trying to get people organised it's a hell of a difficult ask -- much more difficult than it has been because of the picketline defence.

"Unless they're getting good support from guys around them, it makes it an almost impossible job. It took Dan Carter time to get acclimatised to that, and now we're expecting guys to come in and just be god-like in that position with no experience. It's bloody difficult."

Henry also appeared to be warming slightly in his evaluation of young lock Isaac Ross who was the star of the Iveco Series with a series of eye-catching displays.

"We still think he's got a lot to learn," said the All Blacks coach of his 24-year-old second-rower. "He's a natural athlete - he would have been a great basketball player, wouldn't he? He's got great hands, awareness of the ball, is good at setting guys up, and he's quick.

"He's done more things than we would have thought he would at this point in time, and he's also got some composure because for a young guy calling the lineouts in his first campaign it's been a big step. I don't think a lot worries him."

Henry sees the benefits of Ross and backup Bryn Evans getting time now, and eventually when Ali Williams and Anthony Boric return there will be some real depth in the position.

"It's a bit like the five-eighth situation. With playing Luke, Steve playing there, then Dan comes back, and you've got a guy like Cruden, if he comes through the grades -- it gives us a bit of depth."

It sounds like Cruden would be well served keeping his head down and concentrating on a strong provincial campaign with Manawatu. The right people are clearly watching him.