Aaron Cruden explains the reason why he turned down Ulster
Former All Blacks out-half Aaron Cruden has shed light on the recent approach he received from Ulster, who are looking to replace the Munster-bound Billy Burns. The 2011 Rugby World Cup winner is currently a free agent having returned to New Zealand last year to play for Waikato in the NPC following three years in Japan.
Cruden has played in Europe before, spending three seasons with Montpellier in France before the pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2019/20 season. However, the call teasing out his potential interest in a move to Ireland at the age of 35 came at the wrong time for the 50-cap Test player as he is currently in “full-time dad mode”.
Appearing on this week’s Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Cruden was asked about the recent RugbyPass story suggesting he was a potential Ulster recruit. In reply, he admitted there was contact but that his young, soon-to-be extended family was his priority even though he still has an itch to play.
"I had a good phone call with the crew at Ulster and they were great, to be fair, really cool,” he said. “Obviously, my wife and I have a bit of a thirst for travel and exploring the world.
“Right now, as it stands, just family-wise, we have another baby coming soon, and it doesn’t quite fit for us timing-wise. I did obviously say to them I really appreciated the interest. Clearly, I’m a 35-year-old veteran who still has a bit of game!
The new Sky New Zealand pundit also revealed on the show that he was approached by the Crusaders, but his answer was the same as he gave to Ulster. "A lot of the decisions I have made, especially this year, around the rugby has been based around my family and just making sure that fit for everyone.
"It was tough from a professional point of view, and as a competitor, I’m still keen to play. But prioritising my family right now is certainly the way.
“I still have the itch to play and am still a massive rugby fan… but I’m just in full-time dad mode and at the weekends doing a little bit for Sky.”
Ulster have still to confirm who their head coach will be next season with RugbyPass reporting on Wednesday that Kubota Spears boss Frans Ludeke was now on the shortlist to succeed the sacked Dan McFarland.
Also on the list of contenders are Ireland U20s boss Richie Murphy, the interim Ulster head coach who was reportedly only offered a one-year deal that has remained unsigned, and Jared Payne, the province's former full-back and assistant coach who is now coaching attack and backs at Scarlets.
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> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
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