Cruden boost for All Blacks
All Black coach Steve Hansen received a timely boost with the news that flyhalf Aaron Cruden will return to the playing field this week.
Cruden, who has been sidelined for the past six weeks with a fractured hand, confirmed that he is in line to play for the Chiefs against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.
With Dan Carter not returning from his sabbatical till July, Cruden's return adds some much-needed depth to the All Black No.10 resources ahead of the June Tests against England.
Cruden, who is with the All Black training group in Christchurch until Tuesday, has gone back to basics when it comes to passing and catching.
"It [the hand] feels good, it feels nice and strong," Cruden told 3 News.
"I got the cast off last week and am just moving it around again. Hopefully next weekend I will be back out on the paddock.
"Over the next few days I'll do a little bit of that, get familiar with the rugby ball again and hopefully it's just like riding a bike.
"The thumb seems to be healing pretty well. I had an X-ray and I talked to the Chiefs doctor and he seems pretty happy with it and hopefully I will take the field in Wellington," Cruden said.
"I have been in Hamilton with the team, just doing my own sort of training."
* Meanwhile the All Black coach, Hansen, is unconcerned by the sight of new recruit Malakai Fekitoa in a moon boot at the first training camp of the year.
Uncapped centre Fekitoa, who has enjoyed a stunning debut season for the Highlanders, suffered an ankle injury in his team's win over the Hurricanes and took a limited part in a weight session on the first day of the three-day camp in Christchurch on Sunday.
However, the 22-year-old is expected to be fit for the Highlanders' next Super Rugby game against the Crusaders and available for selection when Hansen whittles his camp squad of 35 down to 31 to face England.
That squad, unveiled on June 1, will play three home Tests against England and may include Fekitoa as cover for centre Conrad Smith.
"He's just got a foot strain so medical staff don't want him to put too much weight on it," Hansen told journalists.
"I'm sure he will be fine by Saturday. I know it looks serious and dramatic but medical staff are saying he's going to be okay."
A second training camp will be held in Wellington from May 25 to 27.
Crusaders forward Luke Whitelock is attending the first training camp, and will be replaced for the second camp by Hurricanes lock Jeremy Thrush.
The other 34 players will remain unchanged.
Sources 3 News & Radio LIVE
