Manawatu CEO backs Cruden to bounce back
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John Knowles knows a thing or two about Aaron Cruden.
It was under the Manawatu CEO's leadership in 2008 that the All Blacks first-five cut his teeth in pro rugby as a bright-eyed 19-year-old.
Working alongside eventual two-time Super Rugby winning coach Dave Rennie and current All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith, Cruden established himself as one of the region's greats and was its first All Black since Christian Cullen.
Watching with a keen interest as his career grew from school level at Palmerston North Boys' High, Knowles also witnessed Cruden's well documented battle with testicular cancer…
It was under the Manawatu CEO's leadership in 2008 that the All Blacks first-five cut his teeth in pro rugby as a bright-eyed 19-year-old.
Working alongside eventual two-time Super Rugby winning coach Dave Rennie and current All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith, Cruden established himself as one of the region's greats and was its first All Black since Christian Cullen.
Watching with a keen interest as his career grew from school level at Palmerston North Boys' High, Knowles also witnessed Cruden's well documented battle with testicular cancer…
