All Blacks punish Cruden for night out
AAP
September 22, 2014, 7:01 am
All Blacks five-eighth Aaron Cruden will miss the Rugby Championship Tests against Argentina and South Africa for disciplinary reasons.
Coach Steve Hansen says Cruden went out drinking in Auckland on Saturday night and didn't fly with the team to Argentina on Sunday.
Hansen criticised the 25-year-old, who has been a standout performer for the All Blacks over the last two seasons.
"We are extremely disappointed at Aaron's actions which are out of character. He is embarrassed at his actions," Hansen said on the All Blacks twitter account.
"As a consequence of his actions, he has been left at home and will not join the squad for Tests against Argentina & South Africa."
Cruden's night out took place less than 24 hours before the team were scheduled to leave.
However, the flight was delayed because of mechanical issue and the team departed on Sunday morning.
Thirty-five Test veteran Cruden hasn't been replaced in the 30-man squad, leaving Beauden Barrett as the likely starting No.10 against Argentina in La Plata on Saturday. Colin Slade is likely to win a place on the reserves bench.
Chiefs playmaker Cruden has started six of the All Blacks seven Tests this year, boosted by the absence of injured veteran Dan Carter.
He has scored 69 points with the boot, lifting him to 256 points in Tests, the fifth-most by an All Black.
He missed the Test against Argentina in Napier this month because of a chest injury, allowing Barrett to make his first start at first five-eighth.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...for-night-out/
Cruden left at home after night out drinking
LIAM NAPIER IN ARGENTINA
Last updated 11:36 22/09/2014
Aaron Cruden faces massive repercussions after being kicked off the All Blacks' tour of Argentina and South Africa following an ill-advised late night drinking session in Auckland.
Cruden, the incumbent All Black first five-eighths, did not travel with the team to Buenos Aires after missing the flight and was then reprimanded by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen after it was revealed a boozy night on the town with team-mates was the cause of his tardiness.
Hansen's subsequent judgment to axe Cruden from the tour gained immediate backing from New Zealand Rugby boss Steve Tew who said it was "a decision I completely support".
Tew added today he had spoken to Cruden after the decision to leave him at home and he had been "very disappointed" but accepted he had breached team protocols and standards.
"He is deeply disappointed in himself and he accepts that there are consequences and he is working his way through those in an appropriate manner," Tew added.
Hansen explained the process to exclude Cruden soon after the team arrived in Buenos Aires.
"After going out and drinking he is not here. As a consequence of those actions he won't be coming on the Argentinean or South African leg of the trip," Hansen said today.
"We wanted to be up-front about that."
The incident occurred in Auckland after the team's flight was delayed from Saturday afternoon until Sunday morning and players were given a free evening.
Some players used the time to go to Auckland pub The Zookeeper's Son. Photos from the night were later posted on Facebook saying "The 'Men In Black' dined and partied with us last night... thanks guys! Great to see you again!"
The bar's page featured photos of Cruden, Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick, and other All Blacks posing with staff and patrons. All but Cruden were understood to have retired at an acceptable time after dinner.
"We didn't have a curfew. He was out drinking and he didn't get there in time," Hansen added.
"It's obviously disappointing and out of character for [Aaron]. He's extremely disappointed in himself. He understands
there has to be a consequence for his actions.
''Once we get this out of the way then he will be coming back into the group when we go to Brisbane [for the third Bledisloe Cup test].
"It's not what we, or he, stands for. We all make mistakes. Like our children we loved them but sometimes we don't love their behaviour.
''The team is well aware when we don't get that right there are consequences. He's paid the price for that."
For Cruden the consequences could be far reaching. He has effectively handed two straight test starts to his young rival, Beauden Barrett, and it would not be the first time should the Taranaki youngster seize his unexpected opportunity.
Cruden will be replaced in the 30-man touring squad - but not by veteran No 10 Daniel Carter, who will remain at home to continue his return from a fractured leg in the NPC with Canterbury.
Canterbury's Tom Taylor was most likely to be called up, but that decision was still to be made by the All Blacks coaches.
Cruden started six of the seven tests this season and Barrett now got the chance to add to his solitary start at No 10. Canterbury's Colin Slade, who was in the squad anyway, would step up as the likely bench cover.
Tew confirmed today that Cruden was not suspended from all rugby and any decision on his availability for Manawatu in the provincial competition would be between him and the union.
The NZRU boss said there was likely to be a more formal disciplinary process around the incident, though any further actions around the night out by a group of All Blacks would be left with the team.
"I'd envisage as we speak there are some fairly honest conversations going on in Argentina," he added.
Hansen was confident his side would not let the delayed travel and Cruden incident distract them from Sunday morning's test against the Pumas in La Plata.
"As silly as it might sound the adversity created by one of the players having a mistake usually brings the group tighter and they focus really well," he said.
"We've talked about it, we've now put it behind us and we're getting on with it. As you do in your family you deal with the problem, you dish out the punishment and you move on.
"That's what we've done. There's not point looking over our shoulder. We're here now and looking forward to playing Argentina who are a massive challenge."
Hansen had spoken to Cruden directly but the pair did not discuss whether he was available to turn out for Manawatu.
"That will be up to him," Hansen said.
- Stuff
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a...t-out-drinking
