Aaron Cruden has been dropped from the New Zealand squad for this weekend’s game against the Pumas after missing a flight to Argentina. He had been on a night out in Auckland beforehand.
The All Blacks’s official Twitter account broke the news on behalf of head coach Steve Hansen.
“As a consequence of his actions, he has been left at home and will not join squad for Tests against Argentina and South Africa,” the team said.
“We are extremely disappointed at Aaron’s actions which are out of character. He is embarrassed at his actions.”
Cruden, after pulling the “James O’Connor”, released a statement on the All Blacks’ website apologising.
“On Saturday night, whilst out for an informal dinner in Auckland, I made a poor decision regarding the limits of my alcohol intake.
“This has resulted in the unacceptable action of me being absent from All Blacks assembly on Sunday morning and thus missing the team flight to Argentina.
“I am deeply embarrassed by this lack of judgement and have never been more disappointed in myself. I have not only let myself down, but most importantly, I have let my team down.
“I carry the burden of shame and disappointment and I am deeply apologetic to my team, to my family, and also the New Zealand public.
“I have no excuses. I have been working really hard over the past few years at gaining respect on the field as well as off the field and am devastated I have dropped my own high personal standards, as well as the standards set by New Zealand Rugby.
“I accept full responsibility for my actions and the penalty of missing the next two games, and I will work with New Zealand Rugby to undertake any other disciplinary action to work through this situation.”
Tom Taylor has been called up to the squad as a third fly-half, to join Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade as Hansen’s options at number ten.
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
3 replies on “Cruden dropped from All Blacks squad for drunken antics”
Hope it wasn’t Carling Black Label!
“On Saturday night, whilst out for an informal dinner in Auckland, I made a poor decision regarding the limits of my alcohol intake.”
A splendid new euphemism has been born!
“Are you dining with us tonight, gentlemen?”; “No thanks, this is an ‘informal dinner’! ”
“Right, after the match, let’s meet up in the Hole in the Wall, for an informal dinner”
Tony Davies
R u describing the ‘Hole in the Wall’ nr Waterloo Stn? 2 the best of my knowledge, all of their ‘dinners’ (i.e. mostly packets of crisps, p’nuts etc) are ‘informal’. Highly rec’ed gaff!