Aaron Cruden effective for Hurricanes

WELLINGTON Hurricanes stand-off Aaron Cruden ensured his side's Super 14 slim play-off hopes remained alive with a 33-31 victory over the Otago Highlanders in Dunedin yesterday.

Cruden, 21, scored a try and slotted three conversions while he had a hand in three more of the visitors' five tries – four of which were scored in the first half.

"He is growing all the time and I think the coaches have blooded him pretty well," Hurricanes captain Andrew Hore said. "He will only get better and will be good for us in the years to come and it's good to have a quality 10."

Like other matches in New Zealand and Australia this weekend, today's 95th anniversary of the First World War landings of ANZAC troops at Gallipoli was commemorated, with both sides standing silently while the Ode of Remembrance was read and the Last Post played.