Dylan Cleaver of the New Zealand Herald salutes the performance of New Zealand's third-choice fly-half in Sunday's World Cup semi-final win over Australia.
"World, meet Aaron Cruden.
"The Manawatu first five-eighths stepped on to the world's biggest stage at the Rugby World Cup last night and played, well, he played a little bit like a right-footed Dan Carter.
"There was the odd mis-step - a loose pass early, a couple of cute grubbers that were not on - but in between times he controlled the All Blacks like a seasoned pro. So much so that even Piri Weepu, whose radar was not so finely tuned last night, recognised early that he didn't have to carry the team on his shoulders.
"One searing break Cruden made in the first half seemed to catch even his teammates out as the support arrived just a little late after Will Genia pulled off a try-saving cover tackle."
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