Aaron Cruden
A gifted fly-half who orchestrated the All Blacks' backline with creative flair, stepping into the immense pressure of the number 10 jersey after Dan Carter.
Born 1989 (age 37)·New Zealand rugby union player·Birthday: January 8·Millennials
Biography
Aaron Cruden's rugby journey is a story of resilience and pinpoint skill. Hailing from Manawatu, New Zealand, his talent was evident early, but a battle with cancer as a teenager threatened his career before it began. He overcame it, and his clever playmaking and sharp tactical kicking quickly propelled him through the ranks. His breakthrough came in 2010 with a debut for the All Blacks, and he soon found himself as the primary deputy to the great Dan Carter. Cruden's moment to truly own the role arrived during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, where he guided the team through crucial pool matches with calm authority. While his international career had moments of heartbreak, including a narrow miss in the 2011 World Cup final, he is remembered for his bold, attacking mindset and ability to unlock defenses. After a storied tenure with the Chiefs in Super Rugby, he took his game to France, bringing his distinctive brand of Kiwi creativity to the northern hemisphere.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Aaron was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Aaron Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Aaron's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Rugby World Cup with the New Zealand All Blacks in 2011, playing a key supporting role throughout the tournament.
- Led the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013, earning the starting fly-half spot for the All Blacks.
- Accumulated 50 test caps for the All Blacks, scoring 322 points as a fly-half and first-five-eighth.
- Named the New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year in 2012 after his stellar Super Rugby season.
Did You Know?
He was diagnosed with testicular cancer at age 19 and underwent chemotherapy, making his All Blacks debut just two years later.
He is of Māori descent, with his iwi (tribe) being Ngāti Porou.
In 2016, he missed the team bus before a test match against Australia and was temporarily suspended from selection.
He played for the French Top 14 club Montpellier from 2017 to 2020.
“You have to be accurate with your kicks; the game can turn on a single pass.”
