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Aaron Cruden - Source: Photosport -
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Aaron Cruden will not have Daniel Carter within reach for hands-on mentoring, but the All Blacks legend's deputy will not be lacking a security blanket during the Tri Nations rugby finale against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday.
Cruden ran his first All Blacks training session here today among plenty of familiar faces in the shadow Test backline, with Wellington and Hurricanes halfback Piri Weepu inside him.
With Cruden poised to make the first start of his five-cap career against a bullish Wallabies, it will not surprise if Weepu is promoted from the reserves bench to start his second consecutive Bledisloe Cup Test, a selection warranted by his impact role in New Zealand's Tri Nations win over South Africa in Soweto on August 22.
Weepu's presence would probably ensure Cruden does not have to fret about goalkicking responsibilities either, and it appears the injured Carter's absence has also encouraged the All Blacks management to take out added insurance in the form of Israel Dagg.
The Hawke's Bay fullback, an assured goalkicker for the Highlanders, may also celebrate his first Tri Nations start in place of Joe Rokocoko on the left wing.
Assistant coach Steve Hansen's late arrival in Sydney - he joined the squad today after his property was serious damaged by last Saturday's earthquake in Christchurch - has delayed the official naming of the match-day 22 from today until Thursday, coincidentally the same day the Wallabies confirm their line-up.
But it is already apparent an element of rotation - the selection philosophy held partially responsible for the All Blacks' failure at the 2007 World Cup - has re-emerged now that the Bledisloe and Tri Nations silverware are secured.
Wellington flanker Victor Vito is set to be a leading beneficiary of that with premier blindside flanker Jerome Kaino due to be rested after a busy schedule.
Hooker Corey Flynn is also preparing for his first start against the Wallabies for Keven Mealamu, who was already destined for the reserves bench before he prompted a minor scare by tweaking an existing calf muscle injury during training.
Unsurprisingly, the All Blacks midfield of Ma'a Nonu Conrad Smith is an immovable object given their role in also nursing Cruden through what could be a footballing coming of age for the 21-year-old.
Although he appealed for media to "not make too big a thing" out of Cruden's elevation to the starting 15, All Blacks head coach Graham Henry acknowledged the rookie could expect the same scrutiny usually reserved for Carter - before and during the test.
"He's a young player, he hasn't had a lot of game time for us," Henry said.
"We can't expect him to be a world beater in his first start but I think he'll be able to handle the occasion quite well.
"He's spent a lot of time with Dan since he's been in the environment and hopefully he's learnt a lot from that."
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans insisted he took no solace from Carter's unavailability.
"Not at all, rugby is a team game," he said when emerging bleary eyed at Sydney Airport after arriving from South Africa.
"The All Blacks have shown routinely they tend to rumble on regardless of personnel."
While rotation has manifested itself again for the All Blacks, "recovery" was the buzzword for the Wallabies after they returned from Johannesburg.
The All Blacks had already wrapped up their practice session before the Wallabies cleared customs, although players and management would not use a short turnaround as an excuse should they slump to an unprecedented 10th successive loss to New Zealand.
Kurtley Beale, the goalkicking hero of the Wallabies' epic 41-39 victory in Bloemfontein last weekend, said the team would have no difficulty preparing for the All Blacks.
"There's a lot of excitement after a win like that," he said.
"It shows everyone what we're made of, another win this weekend will show we really mean business."
The Wallabies returned from South Africa relatively unscathed.
Saia Faingaa received a two-week suspension for a lifting tackle on Springboks lock Flip van der Merwe and has been replaced by New Zealand-born hooker Huia Edmonds, while wing Drew Mitchell is the only injury concern after straining a hamstring.
