Cruden gunning for grand Test finale

Jul 6, 2017 - 8:17 AM In a Test career full of highlights, All Blacks first-five Aaron Cruden hopes Saturday's British and Irish Lions series decider will be the pick of the bunch.

The 28-year-old Cruden will pull on the famous black jumper for the last time at Eden Park, as he prepares for a lucrative move to French club Montpellier.

It's the final chapter of a sterling Test career that includes a World Cup triumph on home soil, a last-second penalty goal in Dublin to complete the side's unbeaten 2013 Test campaign and wins at Twickenham and Ellis Park.

Yet the Chiefs co-captain Cruden, playing in his 50th Test, says a victory in Saturday's showdown could be the most memorable of all.

"This weekend is certainly going to be right up there; the anticipation from the public, the fans, media, as us as a playing group (too)," Cruden said.

"It doesn't get much bigger I suppose, bar a World Cup or World Cup final.

"For me, this series has been about trying to embrace it, enjoy all the special moments you get throughout the series."

Earmarked for the All Blacks No.10 after the departure of Dan Carter, Cruden endured a frustrating 2016 Test campaign and eventually relinquished the five-eighth role to Beauden Barrett.

Hurricanes star Barrett went on to be named the 2016 World Rugby player of the year and is now among the first names on Steve Hansen's team sheet.

Cruden has twice come off the bench against the Lions, however, including a 50-minute spell in the All Blacks' 30-15 first-Test win.

The Manawatu native said his New Zealand's 14-man side had let key moments slip in their second-Test defeat in Wellington, and wouldn't make the same mistake in the series decider -- with tries, as opposed to penalty goals, on the menu.

"Probably, in those crucial moments, we weren't as clinical or polished as we normally are," Cruden said.

"That's certainly been at the forefront of our minds.

"Both teams will be hoping to maximise their opportunities.

"If you're able to build the scoreboard up in threes, that's great, but one thing we've spoken about is that we'd love to go up in sevens this week."

Source: AAP