As much as there is doom and gloom in South Africa right now after their poor Tri-Nations, let’s not forget that there is still another game of rugby this weekend when Australia take on New Zealand. The Tri-Nations may already belong to New Zealand but when these two teams meet, there is no such thing as a dead rubber.

New Zealand have rung the changes to their starting lineup and as Graham Henry had pointed out the moment Dan Carter became unavailable due to injury, Aaron Cruden will start at number 10. Cruden is no Dan Carter and he himself has admitted that but Cruden is going to bring his own style of play to the game on Saturday and it is going to be very interesting from an All Black perspective to see how he handles the situation.

Cruden should feel at home as he will have Piri Weepu and Ma’a Nonu on either side of him and he has played with these two for the Hurricanes. Conrad Smith, another Hurricanes teammate at centre, will also act as a guidance counsellor while skipper and flanker Richie McCaw will have Cruden’s back defensively, if required. Of the three rookies entrusted with a start in the Tri-Nations finale and third Bledisloe Cup international of the season, Cruden is obviously under the most intense scrutiny.

Blindside flanker Victor Vito also starts the test and has McCaw and Kieran Read to lean on at the breakdown while Israel Dagg appears to have mastered his transition from the reserves bench to the wing in two tests against South Africa. Who can forget his winning try against the Springboks!

All Blacks – 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Israel Dagg, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Victor Vito, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Rene Ranger.

How do you think Cruden will fair on Saturday?