There was excellent news from Tokyo last night, with the New Zealand under-20 team winning its second successive IRB Junior World Championship. The New Zealanders beat England 44-28 in the final scoring seven tries to three.That achievement itself is noteworthy. But the REALLY great story is the triumphant return of New Zealand captain, Aaron Cruden, who was also named IRB junior player of the year.
In September last year, Cruden withdrew from rugby after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. He was in his debut season with the Manawatu Turbos in the Air New Zealand Cup.
Cruden responded well to treatment, and seems to have made a full recovery. And as Stuff reports, he was the stand-out player in New Zealand's victory last night. We were not at all surprised by Aaron Cruden's return to the top level.
Having grown up in the Manawatu, and been active in rugby circles, we know the Cruden family well. His father Stu and uncle John Cruden were prominent players through the 1980's, and were tough, uncompromising men. The Cruden family name is synonomous with the Queen Elizabeth College Old Boys club, which Aaron now represents (despite being an old boy of our alma mater, Palmerston North Boys' High School). Rugby is deeply embedded in the Cruden DNA. From the photo above, we reckon that Aaron Cruden is the spitting image of his old man!
Importantly though, it shows that heartland New Zealand is still developing rugby talent in spades. Manawatu may be in the nether regions of the Air New Zealand Cup, but still contributed four players to the U-20's, and the side was coached by Manawatu coach, transplanted Wellingtonian Dave Rennie. And Palmerston North BHS is one of the great rugby "nurseries".
This presents challenges to the NZRU as it looks to restructure the Air NZ Cup competition. We appreciate the juggling act the Steve Tew and his colleagues face in trying to keep our premier domestic competition competitive AND financially viable. It's not an easy job that they face, and unions such as Manawatu and Northland are just as crucial to the future health of our rugby as are Auckland and Canterbury.
But one thing is for sure, in our considered opinion - given the dearth of quality first-fives we currently face, the NZRU must be proactive in protecting Cruden from the chequebooks of the Northern Hemisphere.
Well done Aaron Cruden and the Under-20's - you've done us proud!
UPDATE: We've just heard that Zac Guildford's father Rob died suddenly in the stands while watching his son playing in the final. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Guildford whanau at this terribly sad and bittersweet time. Kia kaha, kia toa, kia manawanui - Arohanui.
5 comments:
Good post INV2 and as I said on your reflections post NZ rugby is more dependent on the provinces than the Super 14 franchises as far as player development is concerned.
Hawkes Bay had 3 in the starting lineup and I am unsere if there were others in the wider group. A breakdown by province and High Schools would be interesting.
Given the Hurricanes off field organisation have difficulty recognising the value of:
Gisborne Boys High
Napier Boys High School
Hastings Boys High School
Te Aute College
Palmerston North Boys High
New Plymouth Boys High
To name just 6 of the Rural High Scools in the franchise I have little faith in the NZRFU being able to recognise the value of the provinces to NZ Rugby.
It is time the tail stopped wagging the dog. Even if the tail is the funding source.
I2
As a poigniant postscript I see on the Stuff website that Zac Gilford's father died while watching the final in Japan. My thoughts go out to the young man who suffered this loss in his moment of triumph and his family.
Alex I just heard about the death after I pressed submit a few minutes ago.
I was watching Zac during the game and felt that his game fell away in the last 15 to 20 minutes. I thought he was probably carrying an injury of some sort and even when he ran in his second try he was not flat out. But, perhaps he knew something was wrong.
The loss of a parent is a tragic blow to any young person. Our families sympathies are with Zac and his family even though we do not know them.
Thanks Alex - I had just updated the original post when I read your comment - a bittersweet moment for young Zac Guilford.
pdm - you could probably add Wanganui Collegiate to your list of heartland rugby schools. David Kirk and Andrew Donald are two Collegiate AB's who spring to mind.
I was watching the prize giving after the game and saw one of the team piling into the stand for no apparent reason. I think now that might have been young Zac going to his father.
I agree with your thoughts on Schools rugby. It is overlooked somewhat.
I wish the Otago Union had seen the value in a former head boy and first 15 captain of my alma mater who now is the AB's skipper(when not injured).
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