As Aaron Cruden took his place in the All Blacks team that became the pride of the nation last month at the Rugby World Cup, all eyes were on him.
But while the 22-year-old first five-eighth became a national hero when he donned the number 10 jersey, he took the pressure in his stride – because he’s lived through tougher times.
Historic rugby games and life-threatening illnesses are all scenarios Aaron can deal with. It’s asking his girlfriend Grace King that all-important question he finds nerve-racking.
“Aaron has told me he wants me to be the one to propose!” laughs Grace (22), Aaron’s sweetheart of four years.
Grace has remained by Aaron’s side throughout his tumultuous adulthood, which included testicular cancer at 19 as well as the current knee injury he acquired during the Rugby World Cup final.
“She’ll propose to me one day!” laughs Aaron, playfully nudging his girlfriend at the suggestion that 2012 – a leap year – is traditionally seen as a year when women propose to men. “It could be a sign, Grace…” “I like the other tradition!” Grace teases. “But seriously,” she says, “I don’t want to jinx anything. So let’s just see how we go.”
Although it’s still unclear who will be the one to actually get down on one knee – something Aaron can’t currently do anyway, thanks to the brace holding his knee in place after he hyper-extended it – the pair are clearly devoted to each other. And while the nation is singing Aaron’s praises, he insists he’s kept grounded by Grace, who he says is his secret weapon.
“It’s been pretty full-on, but I’ve dealt with everything because I have Grace. She keeps me smiling – keeps me happy,” says Aaron, who, like Grace, grew up in Palmerston North. “I can always talk to her and we never get sick of each other, no matter how much we’re together. She has a magic quality and she’s my best mate. You’re lucky if you fall in love with your best mate, I reckon.”
“It’s been busy being with Aaron, but we’re pretty relaxed. Nothing’s too stressful, which I think comes from him,” says Grace, who is a gentle but constant presence around Aaron as he manoeuvres himself around on the unwieldy leg brace he has to wear for four weeks. “He’s very caring and loving, and really relaxed and down-to-earth,” she says.
All of which are qualities Aaron needed in spades when he got the sudden call to replace the injured Colin Slade – who’d replaced the injured Dan Carter – in the seemingly cursed number 10 All Black jersey. “The whole thing was a bit bizarre, to be honest,” says Aaron, who was snapped enjoying a beer with friends during the US-Australia game in Wellington a few days before he got the call.
“I’d been told I was in the stand-by player pool, so I was training a bit – playing some touch footy, then relaxing at the weekends, getting out on my skateboard and enjoying the atmosphere of the Rugby World Cup. I definitely wouldn’t say I was at peak fitness! Then I got the call telling me to be ready. That’s when it hit me that I probably should have been training a bit harder!”
After a week of tough work, Aaron – who’s only one month older than Zac Guildford, the youngest All Black – knew he was ready for the challenge ahead, in part due to the tremendous team spirit within the All Blacks.
“It was tough getting used to the different patterns and game plans. I had to work pretty hard to make sure I fully understood and get my fitness levels up,” he says. “But everyone was really welcoming. Dan was great, he popped in and helped me at training, which was awesome. He let me pick his brain so I’d have a better understanding of the right moves.”
Despite the abrupt change of pace, Grace, who graduated from Massey University earlier this year, remained staunchly by Aaron’s side – and it’s where she intends to stay. “We lived in Wellington at the beginning of the year when I worked at Les oills and Aaron was playing rugby. Now I’m helping oum at her dental practice in Palmerston North,” she says.
“I’m thinking about studying again – maybe to become a PE teacher – and we’re moving to Hamilton later when Aaron joins the Chiefs.”
“If I ever study, hopefully I can steal her notes!” jokes Aaron, who was offered a $5000 award from Massey University and is considering his options, including studying for a degree that combines sport and business.
Their world is a far cry from 2008, when Aaron was diagnosed with an aggressive form of testicular cancer which spread to his lungs, leading to a gruelling nine weeks of chemotherapy. He also had to have one testicle removed.
While many teens would find it hard to deal with such shocking news, Aaron says it’s thanks to Grace, who had been his girlfriend for only six months at the time, that he stayed strong. “She’s been my support through everything – she’s the reason I could deal with it,” says Aaron.
While he still sees his specialist in Palmerston North every six months, he’s been told he’s unlikely to be at any more risk of developing cancer again as anyone else.
In fact, there’s never been a better time to celebrate – something the pair did in style after the All Blacks won the tournament. “We got about an hour’s sleep on the morning after that match, then had a whirlwind few days with parades in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch,” says Aaron. “It was pretty surreal, but it was lovely being able to go back to Palmerston North. The guys back home put on an amazing welcome-home reception. After that we got to spend a couple of days with family, having barbecues and chilling out.”
Living the Kiwi dream is the top priority for the couple right now. After a four-week trip through the US, the couple will return to set up home in Hamilton, where Aaron will play for the Chiefs next season.
“Being with a rugby player isn’t always easy, but we’ve had a great four years,” says Grace. “I want to travel one day, but we’re doing that anyway with Aaron’s career. The US will be great, we’re seeing the whole country, visiting some of my family in Phoenix, Arizona and checking out a lot of the theme parks.”
“Yes,” adds Aaron, “Except with my knee I might end up on the kids’ rides taking photos of you on the good ones!”
But whatever comes next for the immensely likeable pair, they’ll be doing it together.
“I’m really lucky Grace is so understanding about what I do,” says Aaron. “It’s tough for rugby partners, but she never complains. She’s always smiling and putting other people first. She has a heart of gold. So I’ve told her that when footy stops, we’ll be doing what she wants to do. And I’ll be there to support her – like she’s always there for me.”
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