Cruden hits the ground running
Gallagher Chiefs former co-captain Aaron Cruden has hit the ground running with his Gallagher Chiefs teammates. In his first day of pre-season since returning from France, 30-year old Cruden was pleased to get stuck into the pre-season workload.
“It is a huge privilege to be a part of the Gallagher Chiefs once again. It is a fantastic environment to be a part of, which made it an easy decision to choose to return for the 2020 season. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into pre-season training with the guys,” said Cruden.
Cruden has signed a one-year deal with the Gallagher Chiefs. The talented first five-eighth and accurate goal kicker will be making his return for the upcoming Investec Super Rugby championship.
Cruden made his debut for the Gallagher Chiefs against the Highlanders in 2012, two years after his Investec Super Rugby and All Black debut in 2010. The first five-eighth was a key director of the Chiefs’ back-to-back Investec Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013. Prior to his departure in 2017 to French club Montpellier, Cruden co-captained the Gallagher Chiefs alongside current co-captain Sam Cane.
The Gallagher Chiefs will head to Waihi next week to play the Blues in their only pre-season match before they kick their Investec Super Rugby season off against the Blues at Eden Park on Friday 31 January. They will return home in round two to play the Crusaders in their first home game of the season at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday 8 February.