Gone-fishing Kiwi gets call

Two rugby players who had been more concerned about skateboarding and fishing are now carrying New Zealand's hopes of avoiding another Rugby World Cup choke by the All Blacks.

Aaron Cruden, a 22-year-old flyhalf who had planned to visit Disneyland and do some skateboarding, was thrust into the World Cup spotlight after the All Blacks' two leading flyhalves were injured.

Two years ago Cruden was diagnosed with testicular cancer and is in remission.

Stephen Donald, a veteran No 10, was called away from his fishing yesterday to fill in for Mils Muliana, the All Blacks' last fullback standing, who was injured on Sunday against Argentina. Last week, their other fullback, Izzy Dagg, was injured.

The All Blacks lost star flyhalf Dan Carter last week and then, on Sunday, his stand-in, Colin Slade. In the same match, 100-cap Muliana was also hurt.

The injury to Muliana forced the selectors to draft in Donald and winger Hosea Gear, who had been a controversial omission when the World Cup squad was announced.

Cruden replaced Slade in the first half of the 33-10 quarterfinal win over Argentina on Sunday and played primarily as a distributor, while scrumhalf Piri Weepu directed the backline. Regardless, that makes him the incumbent All Blacks flyhalf. Donald is No4 in the pecking order.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said he was confident the replacements could handle the high-stakes knockout stage of the tournament and this week's semifinal against Australia.

Henry said Donald had been out fishing when he got the call-up. It was only a week ago that Cruden was called up after watching the start of the tournament on TV and keeping fit by skateboarding.

"Last week (Cruden) was skateboarding around Palmerston North, having a couple of beers and watching us play - now he's the No1 No10 in the country."

Cruden has had a short career at senior level with the Wellington Hurricanes in Super rugby but, after overcoming testicular cancer in 2009, has recovered to earn seven test caps. He played most recently with Manawatu in the domestic competition and is preparing to move to the Waikato Chiefs next season.

Donald, capped 22 times, has not played for the All Blacks since last year's end-of-season tour. Gear played twice in this year's Tri-Nations.

Donald will join Bath in the English Premiership after the World Cup.

Donald has played seven tests against the Wallabies, winning the first six before his part in the 26-24 defeat in Hong Kong last October dented his standing in the All Blacks squad.