Welcome back Master Cruden.
The All Blacks out-half missed out on his country’s successful defence of their World Cup title but is back and primed for the 2016 Super Rugby season.
Cruden’s knee ligament woes are behind him and he certainly looked sprightly when he joined a backline move and set up Charlie Ngatai’s opening try with a scything cut-out pass.
Mere minutes later, he made a snipe, line break and scrumptious offload [see video below] to set up Seta Tamanivalu for the Chiefs’ second try of the game.
It put them 12-0 up but Auckland Blues fought back brilliantly. Despite seeing captain Jerome Kaino sent off early in the second-half, Tana Umaga’s side rallied superbly to claim a 24-12 victory.
Super Rugby season kicks off next weekend but this ‘friendly’ was a tasty appetiser.
https://youtu.be/GcGwZDA9Kqg
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