Aaron Cruden

      Any conversation with Aaron Cruden invariably turns to Dan Carter.

Stepping out of Carter's shadow is a familiar topic for the Manawatu and Chiefs playmaker, one he initially struggled to come to terms with. He's not alone, of course. Sam Cane is on the same wavelength when it comes to Richie McCaw.

But as Cruden grows increasingly comfortable at the highest level, he's more than content with his unique skill set; more than content to be himself.

"A few years ago I probably let it get to me a little bit," Cruden said.

"Now I just take it for what it is. People are always going to compare you to other players. That's just how rugby and professional sport works. I'm not trying to be anyone else. I'm just trying to be Aaron Cruden. I know exactly what I'm capable of. Every opportunity I get in the No 10 jersey I want to enjoy my time in it.

"If you look at a few incidents in recent times, you never know how long it could potentially last. You have to enjoy every moment. That's definitely what I'm doing right now."

Now, more than ever, there is a growing sense Cruden is putting genuine heat on Carter.

Certainly his standout contribution in last weekend's Bledisloe Cup demolition showed how destructive he can be with go-forward ball. Few pivots in world rugby can spark a backline in such fashion.

His challenge is to now repeat his best effort in a black jersey - prove he can operate in a similar direct, controlling manner when his forward pack only gains parity.

He will get at least two more tests - against Argentina in Napier this week followed by the Springboks in Wellington - to further press his claims. Then, with Carter expected to recover from his fractured leg for the away leg of the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks selectors will deliberate over who gets the start.

"I can only control my performances, go out there and try and make it hard for the selectors to say no to selecting me. That's what I'm focused on," he said.

"We will find out in the next month or so what the coaches are thinking. Regardless, it's pretty special to be involved in a team like the All Blacks. Whatever my role is, starting or coming off the bench, I'll do whatever I can to put the team first and, ultimately, hopefully keep producing a few more performances like we got last Saturday.   

It is tough to see a talent like Carter continuously injured, harder on him no doubt. Glad we have other 10s that are now good enough. As we all know it wasn't always the case.
For Richie, he may make it and I hope he does. Can he maintain the same level, it is a big ask & we will have to have great players backing him up. The RWC is a ways off & there are a lot of games for him to get through. Is Cane good enough? We don't know yet but have had some good signs. Go Richie, you have our full respect & support!!

 kbbs genuflecting in wee ritchies direction once again. I have tried to tell them mcaaaw is over the hill but to no avail.Dan Carter is also over the hill as are a number of wee abs. Can the abs find new players. Do they even realise the danger they are in.Will they stick with this side and perish. It seems a flashy will over Oz, who according to Hansen (And Beeno of course) didnt pitch, continues to blind them. I suspect Hansen is getting concerned - particualry about the wee abs actually for once getting the yellows they richie (Excuse pun!) deserve. Most alarming!
The Argies and abs are going to be palying next weekend - the clash of rugby's two most cynical sides. Argies are amateurs re cynical play but Sir Grahman did his best to get them up to speed. Its been down hill ever since - Bwahahahhahahahahaha
Crude is a poor mans Carter but if he is the best you have so be it.

 cruden is a better individual than carter but carter runs the all blacks patterns way better than anyone and thats a much harder thing to negate. he is by far the best deecision maker new zealabnd will have for many generations... like a 10 version of du preez! cruden can be negated but carter... his influence is much wider in scope. new zealand are a totaly different  beast with carter. mccaw is not such a big loss but carter is. he always was the more important of the two.

 Carter is simply the best. The very best.
He's not only the best decision maker but also the best defensive 10 and the best tactical kicker, 2 areas where Cruden probably never will match him.

@beeno,

"Can the abs find new players."

where you've been the last 2 years? in conferences? or may be in the moon?
The AB have found long time ago the next 2 best 10s in the world, Cruden and Barret. Even Slade is far better than any saffa playmake r and Taylor played better in his only start as an AB than any other bok 10 has played in the last years

"Do they even realise the danger they are in."

really? if the AB are in danger, what about the boks?
the depth the Ab have is second to none in every position except maybe the hooker. And I'm talking about the depth of players who have proven to be test material, not prospects like Pollard who has made nothing at test level and even at Super Rugby level (performaces at Junior level don't count).
Tell me one team whith flyhaves who can match the likes of Carter, Cruden, Barret and Slade.
The same at centers: Nonu, C. Smith, Crotty, Feikitoa, SBW, Kahui (and Ranger but he's going to stay in France)
Outside backs: B. Smith, Savea, Dagg, Jane, Gear, Piutau
props: Owen and Ben Franks, Woodcock, Crockett, Faumuina, Moody
etc., etc., etc.

Beeno: as everything Richie touches turns to gold it is best if you don't call them yellow cards but gold cards. Typically Richie decides to get a gold card when he wants to give the opposition some confidence that they have at least a remote possibility of scoring. Richie is such a good sport.

 Carter stopped being the best individual at 10 after 2006. but his decision making and command of the patterns have been what sets him apart. 

 2013-06-29. Highlanders 12- Crusaders 40

 2013-05-18. Crusaders 23- Blues 3

 2012-07-06. Chiefs 21- Crusaders 28

 2012-06-01. Crusaders 51- Highlanders 18

 2012-05-19. Crusaders 59. Blues 12

 2011-08-06. All Blacks 30- Australia 14. Best defensive game I've ever seen to a flyhalf.

These are s ome of the last masterclasses Carter has recently given. Worthy to watch for every rugby lover, a real pleasure. No other flyhalf has reached this level in recent years. Simply the best

 Beeno I love your posts. I just have to admire some one so blindingly focused on the downfall of the All blacks in the face of such contrary evidence. You continue to give me hope when I sometimes see none and for that I am thankful .

 Beeno's cousin

 Hakwa too funny

Happy to be of assistance to you Claydog. The huge ab bubble will burst. With your PI imports lifting the Wobblies you will in due course be besting the abs.Unfortunately our coach has gone down a blind alley and has got his selections messed up so I am less hopeful than I was at the beginning of the year. Time has been wasted.
That said if the Boks lose against OZ and the wee abs Meyer surely will have no choice but to dump some of these old plays like matfiled messing up our team. Maybe more pain before gain stuff.

 Cloudy your source of PI players is not as good as it was. Remember OZ are in on the act.
Ou warped DUD thinks I am a racist because I say PI players are good. It's difficult to fathom how this confused oaks "mind" works!!  A hopeless case.

Cloudy: I fear beeno's needs far exceed couch therapy & even mean boils may not be enough. I suggest a 6 layer chocolate cake with meds on each layer. Also perhaps additional electric shock treatments are required (up the voltage to max please as the poor weee lonely brain cell needs a jolt, lol). 

 Beandik,calling PIs "servile " is not calling them good not by any stretch of the imagination fool.Calling not one but 3 different races "servile" is racist .In triplicate.

Aaron Cruden doesn't compare to Dan Carter in any facet of his play. Carter is bigger, stronger, braver and faster. He's a better defender, a better kicker, a better distributor, a more elusive runner, a better organiser and a better decision-maker.

I know there's a lot of hype about Cruden among New Zealanders but he's really rather ordinary. Not fit to lick Dan Carter's boots in my never humble opinion.