All Blacks cupboard hardly bare

Wellington - All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will have good reason for paying close attention to the flyhalf position when he casts his eye over the Super Rugby action this weekend after Aaron Cruden was removed from his World Cup calculations.

Cruden could yet defy the odds and recover from knee reconstruction surgery to play some role in the back end of September 18-October 31 tournament but Hansen will definitely have to pick his squad without the 26-year-old.

Hansen, while bemoaning the loss of a key player, said the reality of potential injuries means he is constantly working to develop depth in all areas of his squad and he certainly is not bereft of options in the playmaker role.