Crudens world cup is over

 Luke
I am very sorry for Cruden, but this was a weird injury.  He was injured while running at a medium pace - no tackle involved.   Normally this kind of injury occurs in the case of a heavy tackle or bad fall as a result. 
Sorry for him, but I think this is going to result in a problem for Hansen as well.  Carter is iffy and Barrett is not consistent - under pressure he is unreliable and his defense iffy. I think the bulk of the responsibility in the WC will fall back on Slade. 
I think we will see a lot of the wunderkid  Damian McKenzie at flyhalf for the rest of the season for the Chiefs..               

Mike I actually agree. Big canes and barratt fan. But he can be inconsistent. Sorts it out could be great at ten. Carter is the man for me. But he needs solid time at ten for saders.

Shame man! That really sucks for Cru! Carter does not seem to be the player he once was. Maybe he just needs to regain a bit of form, but I am not sold on him. Agree regarding Barratt, wouldn't want my world cup hopes placed on his shoulders. 
I think this is the start of a headache for Hansen. 

Don't want to sound callous or insensitive but I think this strengthens New Zealand's RWC chances.

As many will know, I really don't rate Aaron Cruden at all and this injury removes the temptation of the selectors to persist with this small, slow and overrated plodder. I think the All Blacks will be a much better team with Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett or even Colin Slade at 1st 5. 

It's seriously a huge loss for the Chiefs and the ABs as he is best NZ fly half based on what he has done during the past 4 years, theres no question about that. Cruden at 10 with SBW at 12 combination was a force to be to be reckoned with. Regardless of who the alternative fly half is the same chemistry won't be the same.

Lets be honest Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade are not good enough. Steve Hansen needs to consider Lima Sopoaga to start for the ABs. He is by far the most consistent flyhalf in NZ, he has all the qualities of being an effective flyhalf for the ABs from what I've seen.

 Jerome
You mentioned the guy I missed out and should have mentioned.  Performance-wise the rating of flyhalfs at present in New Zealand are to my mind the following:
1.   Lima Sopoaga2.   Colin Slade3.   Beaudon Barrett4.   Dan Carter.
Thanks for reminding me.    

 Oh come on. Lima? He plays good in space sure, but in test level come on. Barratt and Slade, and DC not good enough? Are you for real. DC the leading point scorer of all time is not good enough? Barratt has been proven time and again he is a test rugby player. Reminds me of 2011 when SBW and Fruen were going so well. Wanted to replace Nonu and Smith. Thank god we didn't as nonu and smith were a big part of that world cup campaign, and why we dominated the world cup. Trust me Carter well be the vettori of the rugby world cup.

I'm with you Luke. Lima Sopoaga is a useful Super Rugby flyhalf but he's not test quality . . . and to say he's better than the likes of Slade and Barrett . . . not to mention one of the greatest flyhalves of all time in Dan Carter . . . is just . . . well . . . dumb!

3ku1
Lima has developed over the years and is playing the best rugby of his career this season, it's like he's a completely different player than he once was. Have you seen his performances this year? including the one over the blues last week?  It's top talent that can't be ignored. He can kick well, defend, attack, Lima has it all.

When looking at Barrett and Slade play you can clearly see there is more weaknesses in their game such as defence and decision making, we've seen it time and time again. You can look back at Barrett's performances against the Springboks in Ellis park last year to see how poor he was particularly on defence, we see those weaknesses exposed in test rugby as well as in Super Rugby.

I'd have to agree with Mike's list of the top NZ fly halfs at present.  

1.   Lima Sopoaga2.   Colin Slade3.   Beaudon Barrett4.   Dan Carter.

 Luke
I have to agree with you that Carter was one of the greatest test players ever -  but what I have seen over the last two years is a very faint reflection of what he used to be.  He definitely is not the player he used to be.  Two years ago he would have been the automatic choice at flyhalf - but he is getting on and his performances have deteriorated  markedly - so an automatic choice he is no more.
Barrett leaves me in a quandary - he has speed and can be very good in attack if he is given space - but I have lingering doubts about his defense and also his temperament - when his team is under pressure he is brittle.  .