Cruden blow for All Blacks

New Zealand were dealt a cruel blow when starting flyhalf Aaron Cruden was ruled out of the Rugby Championship Test against Argentina with a chest injury.

Reports in the New Zealand media stated that Beauden Barrett will start in the No.10 jersey against the Pumas in Napier on Saturday.

It will be Barrett's third Test start, having come off the replacement bench in 19 of his 21 previous international appearances since his debut in 2012.

The 23-year-old's only other Test starts have been at fullback – against Italy in 2012, and Japan last year.

Cruden has been in exceptional form this season, but suffered a chest muscle injury during the All Blacks Bledisloe Cup win over the Wallabies at Eden Park two weeks ago.

Source: ONE News