OPINION: All Blacks first-five Aaron Cruden is leaving New Zealand Rugby for a three-year deal with French club Montpellier.
The 28 year-old will earn $1.2 million a season with his new team, but I can’t help but feel that he still had unfinished business in New Zealand.
On the face of it, Cruden’s achieved everything you can in this country: winning a World Cup in 2011 and leading the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Rugby titles.
2016 was supposed to be the year where Cruden stepped out of the shadow of Dan Carter to make the All Blacks number ten jersey his own, but instead he was overtaken by Beauden Barrett.
I thought Cruden had a great opportunity to re-sign with New Zealand Rugby and take on the challenge of Beauden Barrett through to the 2019 World Cup.
Cruden’s role in the 2011 triumph was a minor one, and after missing out on the 2015 World Cup through injury, I thought the lure of 2019 would be enough to keep Cruden in the country.
2013 was Cruden’s finest season, leading the Chiefs to their second Super Rugby title and playing a major part in the All Blacks’ unbeaten year, showing everyone that he’s a world-class number ten.
The All Blacks are well-served at first-five with the emergence of Barrett and Lima Sopoaga while youngsters Damien McKenzie and Richie Mo’unga are exciting prospects.
But injuries to number tens in the All Blacks is a familiar sight, and if either Sopoaga or Barrett were to go down, I’m not sure whether McKenzie or Mo’unga would be ready for Test rugby just yet, especially against a team like the British and Irish Lions.
The selectors would be smart to pick Cruden in their squad to face the Lions before he takes off for France where he’ll have a lot of money, but will miss out on the opportunity to cement himself as one of the great All Blacks first-fives.
John Day is a Newshub sport reporter.
