Aaron Cruden, injured on the weekend and out for the season

The Chiefs and All Blacks were delivered devastating news in the context of their 2015 campaigns on Monday when it was confirmed Aaron Cruden had ruptured his left anterior cruciate ligament.

The star playmaker will visit a surgeon on Wednesday to arrange a knee re-construction which is expected to keep him sidelined for 6 months.

In a brief statement issued on Monday afternoon, the Chiefs confirmed that Cruden would undergo traditional surgery “given Aaron’s young age and long-term career prospects.”

Cruden’s Super Rugby season is definitely over and his Rugby World Cup has been thrown into doubt as even a best-case recovery within that 6 month window would only see him fit in the final fortnight of the tournament.

“It’s obviously hugely disappointing for Crudes and we will be supporting him as he goes through this tough time and we wish him all the best with his surgery and rehab over the next few months,” said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.

“He has developed into a very good Test All Black and is a key member of our team.

“He will be a loss for the Chiefs and the All Blacks, and we wish him all the best with his surgery and rehab over the next few months. However, as selectors we plan for these unfortunate events and are constantly looking to build depth in all positions across the team.”

Cruden however is not giving up on his hopes of earning selection for September’s showpiece event.

“If you look at the last World Cup there were a few injuries and guys getting called in late, so I guess, all going well with rehab and recovery, who knows what can happen? But at this stage I can’t put all my energy into that. I just have to make sure that I go up to Auckland, see the surgeon, make a plan and attack it one step at a time.”

The 26-year-old has 8 Super Rugby appearances this season, scoring 93 points (1 try, 14 conversions, 20 penalty goals) and also has a pair of try assists.

The Chiefs will now be forced to look at other play-making and goal-kicking options.

Damien McKenzie made an immediate impression with a Player of the Round performance after a highly-impressive debut in Round 1. While the rookie, who turns 20 today, has largely played understudy this season, he may now receive an opportunity to step up and make the No 10 jersey his own.

Other than Cruden, just McKenzie (2 / 2 conversions, 3 / 5 penalty goals) and Andrew Horrell (1 / 2 conversions, 1 / 2 penalty goals) have attempted shots on goal.

And when examining last year’s competition stats, just 4 players took shots, including Cruden, Horrell, Anscombe (now with Cardiff Blues) and Latimer (retired).