The All Black first five Aaron Cruden is happy to get another starting opportunity, though he's a bit sheepish about being involved in Dan Carter's hamstring injury.
Eight months after starting the World Cup final, Cruden will run out again for the injured Carter against Ireland in Hamilton on Saturday night.
The 23-year-old says he's been ready to start since Carter hurt his hamstring - the injury occuring while Cruden was training with Carter on Tuesday.
Cruden says they were doing some speed work when Carter went down, though the senior No.10 told him not to worry about it as that's just rugby.
Cruden starts alongside his Manawatu team-mate Aaron Smith and will also combine with his Chiefs second five Sonny Bill Williams.
