New Zealand
Cruden rejects Olympic Sevens offer
ESPN Staff
April 10, 2015
Cruden won't be joining the All Blacks Sevens at the 2016 Olympics © Getty Images
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Aaron Cruden will not play for the All Blacks Sevens at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, fearing that his involvement may affect adversely his aspirations of facing the British & Irish Lions the following year.

The Chiefs and New Zealand five-eighth said in a radio interview on Friday that New Zealand All Blacks Sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens had "asked if I was interested" in joining the Olympics campaign.

"I'm extremely flattered," Cruden said on Radio Sport, "but I think for me at this stage, not only the rugby side of it but in terms of things away from rugby as well, it probably just isn't the right time."

"I have aspirations of playing against the Lions in 2017, and maybe taking a year off wouldn't do ... my chances any good."

Cruden is the incumbent All Blacks fly-half, but he is under pressure for the No.10 jumper with Hurricanes five-eighth Beauden Barrett and Crusaders playmakers Dan Carter and Colin Slade quality options for this season and beyond.

Tietjens is reportedly looking to add stars such as Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea and former Sevens captain Liam Messam to his squad, but Super Rugby players and their franchises face tough decisions as players who make themselves available for the Olympic Sevens campaign will play fewer franchise matches next season.

New Zealand have traditionally dominated Sevens rugby, winning 12 of the 15 Sevens World Series titles and won four gold medals and a silver in the five Commonwealth Games tournaments.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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