We’ve all done it; had one drink too many and arrived late to work the next day, feeling a little worse for wear. The difference is that we weren’t playing for the All Blacks and due to catch a flight the next day. Aaron Cruden was drinking till late at a bar in New Zealand called the Zookeeper’s Son.
His off-field behaviour will see him miss the games against Argentina and South Africa. It has been humiliating for the All Blacks and for Cruden himself, but what are the on field consequences of the extra drink that night?
The obvious first implication is that Cruden will not be there to fill his usual position and the jersey is likely to go to Beauden Barrett. The young outside half Barrett has only made one start in his favoured position for the All Blacks despite having 23 caps to his name. The Hurricanes outside half has always had players ahead of him in the pecking order, whether it was Aaron Cruden or Dan Carter.
However, Barrett is now the holder of the jersey and has a huge opportunity. Barrett has tremendous amounts of talent and is a very exciting player to watch and the game against Los Pumas could suit his running style.
Colin Slade will be bumped up on to the bench thanks to Cruden’s late night antics. The Crusaders outside half is far steadier than Barrett and a more accomplished goal kicker, but he can’t create opportunities out of nowhere in the same way that Barrett can. Slade is actually a very good option to bring on at the hour mark for the All Blacks; he will keep the score board ticking over and close the game out far better than Barrett.
This is all looking into the immediate future, but looking at the long term Cruden may have thrown away his chance to play at the World Cup. Steve Hansen’s ruthless nature is well known and Cruden could be another star player who is axed by the coach. If Barrett can put in the performances that he is capable of then he may not be able to win the jersey back from the young pretender.
Of course, there is Dan Carter who did return from his sabbatical for a matter of minutes before limping off the pitch in the Super Rugby final. Carter is unquestionably talented and if he can get back to full fitness he will be the All Blacks outside half for the World Cup, although he is looking increasingly fragile.
The stars seem to have aligned in Barrett’s favour, with Cruden ruling himself out of contention and Carter injured, this is the young outside halves chance to take the Black jersey and keep it until the World Cup next year.
Argentina should be an armchair ride for Barrett as the All Blacks should have dominance over Los Pumas from the off. The test of big game mentality and performance will come against the Springboks. However, in the same fixture last year Barrett came off the bench and scored the try that sealed The Rugby Championship for the All Blacks.
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