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'I don't think that's realistic' - Return of former All Blacks star for World Cup unlikely

Montpellier's Aaron Cruden. Photo / Getty Images

A return to New Zealand for former All Black Aaron Cruden amid a shortage of first-fives nationwide has been deemed to be highly unlikely.

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The season-ending ACL injury to Damian McKenzie sustained last week during the Chiefs’ loss to the Blues has left the All Blacks short-handed in the first-five position with just five months left until the World Cup kicks off in Japan.

Speculation has mounted as to who will replace the first-five/fullback, with options nationwide including Otere Black, Brett Cameron, Mitch Hunt, Marty McKenzie and Josh Ioane, but there remains no clear-cut eligible candidate.

As a result, some have suggested that 50-test All Black could be in line for a shock call-up to the national side, despite being under contract with French Top 14 side Montpellier.

Since McKenzie’s untimely injury, there have been calls for the Chiefs to re-sign their ex-playmaker at the conclusion of the European club season to play at the end of the 2019 Super Rugby campaign, thus making him eligible for the World Cup.

However, speaking to Newstalk ZB, Chiefs chief executive Michael Collins almost all but ruled that out as a possibility.

“I don’t think it’s that realistic,” Collins said.

“In a perfect world, with Damian going down, that would be wonderful but what I understand is he’s contracted to his French club and that season doesn’t end until May or June. I don’t think he’ll be back playing for the Chiefs this year.”

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Pro14 side Glasgow Warriors, coached by Cruden’s former Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, are also thought to be pursuing his signature, with reports suggesting the Scottish club are tabling an offer of significantly less value than that of what Cruden is currently earning at Montpellier, where he has struggled to find form since leaving New Zealand in 2017.

Watch – Daryl Gibson speaks ahead of Rebels clash:

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Nickers 15 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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