Cruden shows Midas touch

Although he ultimately couldn't lead his team to victory, Cruden showed the touches and magic that has him so highly rated by All Blacks management.

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He also showed he has a good pair of kicking boots.

Ahead of what will likely be his first test start against the Wallabies in Sydney on September 11, Cruden played a significant role in Manawatu’s 17-9 loss to Hawke’s Bay.

The young first five-eighth would love the opportunity to play another game for his province in the ITM Cup, with the Turbos playing Wellington next weekend, yet knew that it was unlikely that the All Blacks management would allow their front line playmaker (with Dan Carter injured) to run out.

"It's probably a bit high-risk being a week out from the test and with Dan not being available," he said to the Manawatu Standard.

Cruden will remain with the side in the coming days, but with the All Blacks assembling on Sunday, it seems that he has for now played his last game for the Turbos.

And it seems the young prodigy is only to happy to help his province.

"I'm keen to do as much as I can to help Manawatu," Cruden said.

"It was fantastic to get out there and be playing again instead of running around on the training paddock.”

"I love my roots. I really enjoy coming back to Manawatu and seeing the boys' faces. I think the boys showed a lot of heart out there."

While he couldn’t inspire his team to victory, and was shut out of the game to some degree by a determined Hawke’s Bay, he showed glimpses of his class.

Despite his slight frame, he ghosted through the defensive line on more than one occasion, showed some deft touches and knocked over three penalty goals, including one from nearly 50 metres.

Cruden will likely assume goal kicking duties for the All Blacks should he start in Sydney, and he has been working hard on his place kicking.

"I was keen to get out there and test myself in a game situation," Cruden said.

The Magpies though came hard at Manawatu in the second half, and the young Turbos struggled as both sides became desperate to record their first win of the season.

"We had wanted to come out and hit the ground running, but unfortunately all we were doing was tackling and it really sapped the energy out of us,” Cruden said.

"I just wanted get out there and help the Turbos out."

While Cruden will most probably not be available for this weekend’s match, he could be available for Manawatu’s big match against Auckland on September 17, nearly a week after the Sydney test.

"If I'm allowed, I'm keen to play,” Cruden said.

"It was quite funny. Rens (coach Dave Rennie) gave me a bit of stick during the week, saying I'd nearly played more games for the All Blacks than I had for Manawatu."