Cruden injury blessing in disguise for Sopoaga AB's Dream?
So we have learnt that Aaron Cruden is likely to miss this year's Rugby World Cup in England due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered on his left knee against the Crusaders.
Traditional reconstruction surgery had been deemed the most appropriate course of action given Cruden's young age (26) and long-term career prospects. So in turn he will miss about six months of rugby plus rehabilitation.
Now Cruden is an exceptional talent. He is that guy that is tipped to be the next golden boy for New Zealand rugby after Dan Carter.
He is quite a small fella in stature, a clever player, physical if need be, exceptional ball skills and is that ultimate modern day flyhalf.
Going to the World Cup, it is a no-brainer Cruden was going to play second fiddle to Mr Carter (that is if Carter actually is fit and stays fit throughout the World Cup), but now injury has hampered any 2015 World Cup aspirations for the 26-year-old. Look, the guy is young and at 30 at the next World Cup in Japan he will still be good and I am sure the main man in New Zealand rugby. His loss this year might be another man’s gain.
The next logical choice at 10 or ok let me say at 22 is that of Beauden Barrett, the Hurricanes five-eight. I mean tried and tested, got All Black caps and all in all a good solid Wellington bloke and by all means take Beauden to England, but now what about the in form most consistent flyhalf in New Zealand right now, Lima Sopoaga.
Lima has been exceptional this year in Vodacom SupeRugby and has been the main guy in the Highlanders bid to make the play-offs for two consecutive years. He has played 7 matches so this season and sits on a 74 points for the season, 8 clean breaks, 4 tries assisted and has only had 33 out of hand kicks (27 less than Barrett) which means he actually runs more with ball in hand than Barret and what a better way to get that awesome All Blacks backline running and I do not know maybe the fact the thank Aaron Smith already has an awesome halfback partnership with Sopoaga in Dunedin.
Now there is plenty of rugby left before we get to Twickenham in September so pick Barrett and pick Sopoaga during the Rugby Championships and let us see what the boy can do in Test rugby.
Now do not get it twisted this is not a piece about me comparing Barrett and Sopoaga, but just a scripture of acknowledgement of how good this kid is.
Barrett might be smiling after the injury to Cruden, but a player like Lima who has nothing to lose might prove more dangerous to Barrett than Cruden's threat.
(File Photo: AFP)
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