Wellington - New Zealand flyhalf Aaron Cruden is still clinging to what he admits are slim hopes of playing at this year's Rugby World Cup despite suffering a serious knee injury playing for the Chiefs last Friday.
The 26-year-old, who started eight tests in the number 10 shirt for the All Blacks last year, is to undergo knee reconstruction after scans on Monday showed he had ruptured ligaments in his left knee.
The normal period of recuperation from such an operation is six months, meaning he is unlikely to be fit to play until the back end of the Sept. 16-Oct. 31 World Cup in England.