The rising Manawatu rugby star Aaron Cruden has signed with the province for another season, making him a leading candidate for the Hurricanes first five role.
The Manawatu CEO John Knowles says Cruden received a number of offers from other provinces and has a transfer clause should Manawatu fail to stay in the top flight of provincial rugby, come the revamp of the Air New Zealand cup at the end of the season.
Following a year fighting testicular cancer in 2008, Cruden has overcome his illness to play 12 games for Manwatu and captained the New Zealand Under 20 side to success at the World Cup in Japan earlier this year, beaing named World Junior Player of the Year.
