More All Blacks time for Cruden looms - Henry

PETER MEECHAM/Stuff.co.nz

GAME TIME: Young Aaron Cruden is set for more All Blacks game time.

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Graham Henry has pledged that young five-eighth Aaron Cruden will start tests for the All Blacks this year "sooner rather than later".

In a revealing interview on Radio Sport Henry indicated the All Blacks coaches were keen to get Cruden more substantial opportunities than he had received in the seven tests thus far – limited to just five short cameos off the bench with Carter starting every match.

"I think we've got to bring in a player like Aaron Cruden at some stage, and I think it may happen sooner rather than later," said Henry. "Certainly during this year he has to start in test matches."

Asked to clarify his stance on the 21-year-old Manawatu sensation, who has played only a combined 50 minutes in his rookie campaign thus far, Henry said:

"He'll play test matches this year, and it may happen sooner rather than later. Watch this space."

It's not likely Henry would risk the youngster in a test as big as that against the Springboks in Soweto in front of 89,000 revenge-minded South Africans, but Sydney looks like a realistic prospect – especially if the Tri-Nations is sealed by then.

Then he would likely get at least one start on the end-of-year tour, possibly against Scotland.

Henry also supported a touted move by young Canterbury five-eighth Colin Slade to the Highlanders for next year's Super 15.

Slade is stuck behind Carter in the Crusaders and ha splayed mainly at fullback for them in recent times. But with the Red and Blacks soon to announce they have secured the services of Israel Dagg, it's thought Slade has accepted that a move south is in his best interests.

"These young guys have got to take the bull by the horns, and if they're ambitious in their rugby they need to make wise decisions," Henry told radio Sport.

"If it's a wise decision for Colin Slade to play at the Highlanders, that's where he should play if he wants to progress in the game. Obviously Dan is going to play 10 for the Crusaders and Colin is a very good player with lots of potential and he needs to have an opportunity to play, and play each week.

"I think that's a sound decision," said Henry of the mooted move.

Henry also indicated he expects to encounter a massive challenge from the South Africans at the National Stadium in Soweto next weekend.

"I think they'll go back to what they're good at – those big driving lineouts and box kicking from there, they'll try to open us up with chips in behind and they'll come with a very physical game in South Africa. They will be the best they can be, that's for sure.

"They've gone through what we went through last year and that brings the best out of people, or should do. So their backs are against the wall and will bring the best out of them."

Henry said it should be a game, at altitude and in fine conditions, in which the All Blacks are able to play the style of game that suits them.

"It's just a matter of us not getting too involved in big physical confrontations, try to avoid those, try to avoid the contact and try to keep the ball free," he said.

The All Blacks coaches were due to make a decision today on whether halfback Jimmy Cowan was recovered enough from his rib cartilage damage to travel with the squad on Saturday. Wellington's Alby Mathewson is on standby.

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