Cruden off to France with Montpellier
Jan 18, 2017 - 1:49 AM All Blacks five-eighth Aaron Cruden will say au revoir to Kiwi rugby in August after signing a lucrative three-year deal with Montpellier.After months of speculation linking the 28-year-old with a move offshore, Cruden on Wednesday confirmed his impending departure, saying the decision was difficult to make.
The Chiefs co-captain endured a frustrating 2016 in the black jumper, starting out as first-choice No.10 but losing the role to in-form livewire Beauden Barrett.
He started in just three Tests, including one in Rome in November, and played the full 80 minutes just once.
Yet despite being relegated to a bench role, New Zealand Rugby pulled out all the stops to keep Cruden on home soil and publicly pleaded with him to stay.
Cruden told fans via an online video that the chance to experience European rugby and the French Riviera lifestyle was too good to resist.
He’ll also reportedly trouser almost $1.2 million per year over the three years, making him one of the best-paid players in world rugby.
“(It’s) a beautiful part of the world and a fantastic rugby club, and a real opportunity to go out there and experience something different, fresh,” Cruden said.
Cruden, who has 47 Test caps, will be eligible for All Blacks selection until the end of this year’s British and Irish Lions tour and won’t leave until the Super Rugby season is over.
But with fringe players such as Lima Sopoaga, Damian McKenzie and Richie Mo’unga waiting in the wings, not even a Lions berth is secure.
“I’ll be working my butt off to make sure that happens,” Cruden said.
The Palmerston North native will be coached by compatriot Vern Cotter in the south of France, who is preparing to take up the gig after he leaves Scotland in June.
He'll go with plenty of accolades to his name as well, including the 2011 World Cup, two Super Rugby titles and five Rugby Championships.
NZ Rugby boss Steve Tew said last month that the Test experience of off-contract stalwarts such as Cruden, Ben Smith and Israel Dagg was still needed.
But he acknowledged the union couldn't compete with the megabucks on offer in European rugby.
"They all know we love them to death and we'd love them to stay, but they've got to make their decision," Tew said.
Les Cistes will have plenty of space on their roster, with playmaker and former Stormers five-eighth Demetri Catrakilis heading to Harlequins in August.
Former North Harbour playmaker Ben Botica is also on the books.
Source: AAP
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