Rugby · Tri Nations
Slade called in to Kiwi squad
Wednesday, 1 September 2010 07:26Canterbury fly-half Colin Slade has won the battle to be Aaron Cruden's back-up for New Zealand's final Tri Nations match against Australia in Sydney on 11 September.
Slade gained his place on the back of an impressive performance in Canterbury's ITM Cup win over Auckland on Saturday.
Dan Carter was unavailable to All Blacks coach Graham Henry as he is recuperating from ankle surgery.
Slade was never far out of the frame given the lack of appearances by Luke McAlister at fly-half and injury to both Chiefs and previous All Blacks fly-halves Stephen Donald and Mike Delany.
Slade played for the New Zealand Barbarians against the New Zealand Maori at the end of the Super 14 season.
