Dan Carter stands by his replacement

BY DAVID LONG

Last updated 05:00 29/08/2010

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Dan Carter has given a vote of confidence to Aaron Cruden ahead of the youngster's first test start for the All Blacks.

Cruden will almost certainly run out in the No10 jersey when the All Blacks play the Wallabies in the Sydney Bledisloe Cup test on September 11.

It will be the biggest game of his life for the 21-year-old Cruden, who was IRB Under-20 Player of the Year last season.

He has played in five tests for the All Black this year and has been with the squad since June, playing just 61 minutes of rugby.

"Aaron has been a valuable part of this side," Carter told Sunday News.

"The guys who aren't getting a lot of game time are training extremely well and really pushing that starting 15 to higher levels.

"That's because of the way they're training and that's fantastic because you want to keep the guys on edge.

"Every time he's had a run he hasn't done anything bad and he's added to the team.

"He knows the systems and everything we're trying to achieve with our game-plan so I'm confident that when he gets his chance he'll perform."

Carter says he's been only too happy to give Cruden a helping hand this season.

"Since he joined [the All Blacks], I've always been there," Carter said.

"If he wants to ask any questions I'm happy to help him out. He's a young talent with a bright future.

"The fact he's already asked a few questions here and there has been great. He's keen to learn."

The early days of Cruden's career have mirrored that of Carter's.

Both found themselves in the media spotlight when they first made the All Blacks but Carter says he's watched Cruden cope well with that pressure.

"There has always been a lot of expectation on him at a young age, which is never easy.

"But he's pretty grounded and as long as he continues to work hard he'll be able to perform, and that's the main thing.

"He knows what he needs to do and what needs to be done to become a great player. He's had a taste at this level and knows what's required. It's a huge step up for him but I'm sure he'll live up to his own high expectations."

Carter underwent surgery on Tuesday in Christchurch to sort out growth spurs and remove some debris in an ankle.

The ankle had been bothering him for some months but with the Tri-Nations trophy and Bledisloe Cup locked away for the season, All Blacks management thought it was the right time for him to have the surgery.

Carter will be out for eight weeks and should be back in time for the All Blacks' game against the Wallabies in Hong Kong on October 30.

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