September 3, 2026 • 6 mins
Former All Black Aaron Cruden previews a pivotal Rugby Championship clash between the All Blacks and South Africa. He shares his thoughts on Dave Rennie’s unexpected team selections, the impact of key changes in the forward pack, and the importance of competition for places within the squad. Cruden also discusses the exciting development of young first five Reuben Love and why his running game could be a key factor against the Springboks.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, it is Sunday morning's High Veldt Heavyweight Hunting. I'm
expecting it to be one of the great games in
the incredible sequence of matches that seem to have gone
on forever between the All Blacks and South Africa. And,
of course, well, Sunday morning, around about three o'clock, I
(00:22):
know this guy will be, his eyes will be peeled.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
On the screen.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
All Black First 5'8. Aaron Cruden, of course, a man
who knows Dave Rennie very well.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Asa, how are you?
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Yes, very good. Thank you, Hamish. As you said, mate,
very excited about Sunday morning and this upcoming test, a
pivotal one in the context of the series, which is awesome.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
It is fantastic that it is coming to this. The
back line remains intact in terms of selection. But I
was just saying a few minutes ago, I can't believe
how many of the pundits were wide of the mark
when it came to selecting the team. You don't want
to play Dave Rennie in poker because he kept this
pretty close to his chest. With Dowry coming in, Bauer starting,
Ormoa starting, Lackey on the blind side, Jacobson starting.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
There were lots who were predicting a very different looking
line-up to that.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, it's funny. Obviously, knowing Renz really well, he's his
own man as well. He doesn't get swayed too easily
in regards to any outside noise. But him and his
coaching group, they're obviously very astute, they're very experienced, and
they've decided to make a few changes in the forward
pack that they believe can go out there and make
(01:34):
an impact, make a little bit of a difference in
regards to And I guess, yeah, the result that they
conceded in the end in Test 2. And, yeah, it's exciting.
Like anything, when there's sort of new players into the
starting 15, it just brings that level of excitement. There's
always expectation. But for me, now it makes South Africa
(01:55):
have to prepare for something a little bit different, possibly,
than what they've faced in the first couple of Tests.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Yeah, that's interesting, isn't it? Because....
Speaker 1 (02:05):
We had the change at blindside flanker, we go away
from sort of more of a physical approach to Lackey.
He's just got that bit more ball carry, doesn't he?
I think he'll be exciting in that sixth jersey.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Yeah, I agree, Hamish. I think for me, he's been
one of the constant performers for the All Blacks throughout
the season so far. It hasn't always come in the
starting lineup, but whenever he's He's come on, he's added impact.
He's possibly not as big of a body as Simon Parker.
And look, Simon played really well last week, but the
(02:38):
coaches of the All Blacks have obviously decided to make
a change and gone for something a little bit different.
And he is very dynamic with ball in hand. And
I'm excited to see him combine with both Artie and
Luke Jacobson in the loose forward trio. And yeah, when
I look at that selection as well, he's probably a
little bit more of a threat at the breakdown possibly
for me as well. his ability to put his head
(03:01):
in those dark places and come away with those jackal turnovers.
I think hopefully that might really complement what Artie can
do at the breakdown area as well.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Yeah, I think it's been one of the successful combinations
so far this season is Jacobson and Savia, and I
think Lakai will add to the mix.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
But I think you make a good point.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
Parker did nothing wrong in that test, and it might
feel a little bit hard done by. But then again,
within this group that Dave Rennie has, has got. There
isn't a lot of that bottom lip-dragging, is it? It's
actually getting in there and everybody's competing for a place
and staying positive.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
I like that about this team. Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
I really like what you've said there and even, like,
I'm big on listening to a lot of the messages
that come out of certain camps and, you know, the
All Blacks coaches, even the players They clearly say that.
I think it was only a couple of weeks ago,
it was Simon Parker was the one that came out
and said, you know, the All Blacks, it's not a charity.
You have to earn your spot. And whether that's in
(03:58):
the starting lineup or on the bench or possibly not
even in the match day 23, but you all have
a role to play. And to me, that's clear and obvious.
Everyone's understanding what their role is, preparing the team as
best as they can. And yes, although we didn't get
the result in Test 2, I still think there were
a lot of aspects that I really liked. And if
(04:18):
we can just tidy up a few areas and get
those right this coming weekend, you know, we can easily
turn that result around. Yep.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Right, something that you will enjoy is a running first 5-8.
I mean, that was your mantra. And young Reuben Love,
he just goes from strength to strength. I'm not sure
he's quite getting the plaudits that he deserves, but that's
not a bad.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Thing when a young guy's starting out. But I like
a first 5-8 who actually.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Comes onto the ball and challenges, leaves the defence completely
in two minds and then can just throw an absolute
pearl or a cut-out pass wide.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Yeah, absolutely. I think I've really been impressed what Ruben's
been able to do in this international season so far. Obviously,
he got more time in the saddle for the Hurricanes
this year at 10, which was fantastic. And we all saw,
I guess, the influence that he was able to have.
But yeah, I agree. I think he probably hasn't had
the impact in regards to his running game that people
(05:20):
might have thought in the first couple of tests. I
am hopeful and possibly expect that we're going to see
the best of Reuben Love in regards to his attacking
prowess this week because similar to Cam Roygard and even
when I think of Geordie Barrett, you know, that Hurricane 9, 10,
12 combination, they're all, to me, at their best when
they're thinking run first and then they let their skill set,
(05:42):
their decision making fall off the back of that. So
I think if Reuben can sort of just get a
few touches early, you know, like, Just challenge the line
and make South Africa's defence think a little bit more
about him as well. I think it's just set him
up so well. I'm excited to see it happen, hopefully.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Yeah, it'll be brilliant. Aaron Cruden, thank you for joining
us on The Country.
Well, it is Sunday morning's High Veldt Heavyweight Hunting. I'm
expecting it to be one of the great games in
the incredible sequence of matches that seem to have gone
on forever between the All Blacks and South Africa. And,
of course, well, Sunday morning, around about three o'clock, I
(00:22):
know this guy will be, his eyes will be peeled.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
On the screen.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
All Black First 5'8. Aaron Cruden, of course, a man
who knows Dave Rennie very well.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Asa, how are you?
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Yes, very good. Thank you, Hamish. As you said, mate,
very excited about Sunday morning and this upcoming test, a
pivotal one in the context of the series, which is awesome.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Yeah, it is.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
It is fantastic that it is coming to this. The
back line remains intact in terms of selection. But I
was just saying a few minutes ago, I can't believe
how many of the pundits were wide of the mark
when it came to selecting the team. You don't want
to play Dave Rennie in poker because he kept this
pretty close to his chest. With Dowry coming in, Bauer starting,
Ormoa starting, Lackey on the blind side, Jacobson starting.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
There were lots who were predicting a very different looking
line-up to that.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, it's funny. Obviously, knowing Renz really well, he's his
own man as well. He doesn't get swayed too easily
in regards to any outside noise. But him and his
coaching group, they're obviously very astute, they're very experienced, and
they've decided to make a few changes in the forward
pack that they believe can go out there and make
(01:34):
an impact, make a little bit of a difference in
regards to And I guess, yeah, the result that they
conceded in the end in Test 2. And, yeah, it's exciting.
Like anything, when there's sort of new players into the
starting 15, it just brings that level of excitement. There's
always expectation. But for me, now it makes South Africa
(01:55):
have to prepare for something a little bit different, possibly,
than what they've faced in the first couple of Tests.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Yeah, that's interesting, isn't it? Because....
Speaker 1 (02:05):
We had the change at blindside flanker, we go away
from sort of more of a physical approach to Lackey.
He's just got that bit more ball carry, doesn't he?
I think he'll be exciting in that sixth jersey.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Yeah, I agree, Hamish. I think for me, he's been
one of the constant performers for the All Blacks throughout
the season so far. It hasn't always come in the
starting lineup, but whenever he's He's come on, he's added impact.
He's possibly not as big of a body as Simon Parker.
And look, Simon played really well last week, but the
(02:38):
coaches of the All Blacks have obviously decided to make
a change and gone for something a little bit different.
And he is very dynamic with ball in hand. And
I'm excited to see him combine with both Artie and
Luke Jacobson in the loose forward trio. And yeah, when
I look at that selection as well, he's probably a
little bit more of a threat at the breakdown possibly
for me as well. his ability to put his head
(03:01):
in those dark places and come away with those jackal turnovers.
I think hopefully that might really complement what Artie can
do at the breakdown area as well.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Yeah, I think it's been one of the successful combinations
so far this season is Jacobson and Savia, and I
think Lakai will add to the mix.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
But I think you make a good point.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
Parker did nothing wrong in that test, and it might
feel a little bit hard done by. But then again,
within this group that Dave Rennie has, has got. There
isn't a lot of that bottom lip-dragging, is it? It's
actually getting in there and everybody's competing for a place
and staying positive.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
I like that about this team. Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
I really like what you've said there and even, like,
I'm big on listening to a lot of the messages
that come out of certain camps and, you know, the
All Blacks coaches, even the players They clearly say that.
I think it was only a couple of weeks ago,
it was Simon Parker was the one that came out
and said, you know, the All Blacks, it's not a charity.
You have to earn your spot. And whether that's in
(03:58):
the starting lineup or on the bench or possibly not
even in the match day 23, but you all have
a role to play. And to me, that's clear and obvious.
Everyone's understanding what their role is, preparing the team as
best as they can. And yes, although we didn't get
the result in Test 2, I still think there were
a lot of aspects that I really liked. And if
(04:18):
we can just tidy up a few areas and get
those right this coming weekend, you know, we can easily
turn that result around. Yep.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Right, something that you will enjoy is a running first 5-8.
I mean, that was your mantra. And young Reuben Love,
he just goes from strength to strength. I'm not sure
he's quite getting the plaudits that he deserves, but that's
not a bad.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Thing when a young guy's starting out. But I like
a first 5-8 who actually.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
Comes onto the ball and challenges, leaves the defence completely
in two minds and then can just throw an absolute
pearl or a cut-out pass wide.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Yeah, absolutely. I think I've really been impressed what Ruben's
been able to do in this international season so far. Obviously,
he got more time in the saddle for the Hurricanes
this year at 10, which was fantastic. And we all saw,
I guess, the influence that he was able to have.
But yeah, I agree. I think he probably hasn't had
the impact in regards to his running game that people
(05:20):
might have thought in the first couple of tests. I
am hopeful and possibly expect that we're going to see
the best of Reuben Love in regards to his attacking
prowess this week because similar to Cam Roygard and even
when I think of Geordie Barrett, you know, that Hurricane 9, 10,
12 combination, they're all, to me, at their best when
they're thinking run first and then they let their skill set,
(05:42):
their decision making fall off the back of that. So
I think if Reuben can sort of just get a
few touches early, you know, like, Just challenge the line
and make South Africa's defence think a little bit more
about him as well. I think it's just set him
up so well. I'm excited to see it happen, hopefully.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Yeah, it'll be brilliant. Aaron Cruden, thank you for joining
us on The Country.
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