Aaron Cruden is no longer in Dan Carter's shadow © Getty Images

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Aaron Cruden's growing status in New Zealand rugby means no-one batted an eyelid when Dan Carter was ruled out of the opening two Bledisloe Cup Tests with a strained calf.

Cruden will start his 11th Test for the All Blacks when they face Australia at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday to begin their defence of the Rugby Championship crown, but the Chiefs pivot is light years ahead of the nervy 21-year-old who made his starting debut at the same venue in 2010.

He has won two Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs and, as All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said, is no longer a "green, wet-behind-the ears five-eighth". Cruden has matured to become the playmaking general every team craves at fly-half. His running game threatens defences, his distribution skills create just as many opportunities, and his general kicking game has improved out of sight.

"I was really nervous," Cruden said of his early appearances in for the All Blacks. "I probably just didn't play my natural game. I thought I had to change a few things coming into the highest level of New Zealand rugby. The last few years have really shown me that I can just get out there and do my thing.

"I'm really excited about the challenge. I am comfortable in the environment now. I just have to get out there and play my natural game and boss the big boys around and take the ball to the line and try and be a bit of a threat also."

Returning to Sydney with the All Blacks for the first time since that 2010 Test, in which he missed touch with clearances and struggled with his restarts, holds no demons.

"A few years ago, it might have," said Cruden, now 24. "Now I'm just really excited to start another Test there. Whenever I get an opportunity I'm always focused on trying to make the most of that. An opportunity has been given to me this weekend with Dan's injury. I'm really keen to step up to the mark and help our team get an upper hand in the Bledisloe Cup."

If there has been one weakness in Cruden's game recently, it has been his goal kicking. But Cruden is confident those issues are behind him after working with All Blacks skills coach Mick Byrne.

"[Byrne] said I was getting a little bit square on to the ball in my approach lately. He identified that when I'm kicking well I'm coming in at more of an angle and really find that comfortable spot. It's just been about getting back to that and trying to find that comfortable spot. It's been coming off the foot nicely this week."

Follow live text commentary of the Bledisloe Cup Test between Australia and New Zealand on Saturday, August 17, from 730pm (AEST), 930pm (NZT), 930am (GMT)

Aaron Cruden believes he has put to bed his goal-kicking issues © Getty Images

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