All Blacks first-five Aaron Cruden in action during the semi-final match between New Zealand and Australia at the Rugby World Cup 2011. Photo / Brett Phibbs
A picture is doing the rounds showing Aaron Cruden enjoying a beer while watching the US get dismantled by Australia at the Cake Tin last month.
Until a fortnight ago, that might have been as close as the 22-year-old thought he might get to the action. On Sunday, he will start for the All Blacks in the pivotal No 10 jersey in a World Cup final.
It is the culmination of not only an incredible journey over the past fortnight but also an extraordinary ride over the past three years . He turned up to All Blacks camp with a badly grazed knee after falling off his skateboard. That was a mere scratch compared to the mental and physical scars left behind by his brush with cancer.
It's probably why he seems at ease ahead of the biggest game of rugby in this country in 24 years, perhaps ever.
"I suppose I have had a few experiences in my life that I have been able to draw strength from,'' he said. "This is just going to be another fantastic experience on Sunday night. It's something I dreamed of as a little fella and it's something I am very excited about.''
It's not a place he might have thought he would find himself a couple of years ago and certainly not after last year's meltdown against the Wallabies in his first start in an All Blacks jersey.
He was diagnosed with testicular cancer as a 19-year-old after discovering a lump in his groin. He played for Manawatu in a Ranfurly Shield match against Auckland five days before surgery to remove a testicle - his first start for the Turbos - and hadn't told any of his teammates of his personal struggles because he didn't want to let them down.
He was going to play against Taranaki the following weekend - he was named in the team - but was told he needed an intensive dose of chemotherapy because the cancer had spread to his lungs and would have to take an indefinite break from rugby.
He was given the all-clear by the end of the year and returned to the rugby field the following season. If that wasn't enough, he also contracted tuberculosis when at high school that cost him a chance of playing for New Zealand Secondary Schools.
The way he handled that, as well as the fallout from first test start in Sydney, has impressed many, including All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith.
"The thing that's really impressed me is that we left him out of the end-of-year tour last year for a reason and we were pretty clear about that and he went on worked on that,'' Smith said. "I think you've seen the difference, particularly in his ability to kick and dominate games through kicking. That's what, like it or not, every All Black five-eighths needs and he's gone and developed that through a lot of hard work.
"He's always shown composure. He's had bigger challenges in his life than this. He's able to bring that courage and ability to handle pressure into this role. He's a pretty special kid, I think.''
Cruden was good against Australia on Sunday night. He didn't try to overplay his hand, realising he had experienced players alongside him, but he also didn't shirk what his team needed from him as a first five-eighths. He took the line on, coming close after one incisive break, took his options well and grew into his kicking game.
"I just knew I had a job to do out there and that was the whole one to 15,'' he said. "We were just focused on doing our jobs to the best of our abilities and the rest would take care of itself. It was a pleasing team performance.
"Hopefully next we will be able to call ourselves world champions.''
Then he would really have earned a beer.
By Michael Brown- APNZ
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