When he stepped out for his 14th test against the Springboks he was not well acquainted with the nuances of his halfback Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu.
He had played alongside both before, notably at the tail-end of the World Cup, but not on the regular basis which brought such power to his link with Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Sonny Bill Williams at the Chiefs.
There was some improvement when Aaron Smith came from the bench for the second spell and his speed created more time for the backline.
But there still looked an uncertain edge about Cruden's direction and pattern.
There could be many reasons. He may have been playing to a certain plan which did not unfold or they could not execute but there was an awkward look about the inside backs' interaction.
They had time together at the Hurricanes but in the last two tests there has not been the flow or game construction the All Blacks have been searching for.
Daniel Carter's absence changes the dynamics because he reads a game so well and brings a variety of attack which has yet to seep into Cruden's international portfolio.
Kicking can be as damaging as some intricate backline move and Carter has often produced that pressure with his variety and kicking accuracy.
That is not a go-to scheme for Cruden, he seems far more inclined to run or use his outsides as his initial thoughts.
While all that is happening, even younger five-eighths Beauden Barrett watches. His game has a bigger kicking component that Cruden and his game may be closer to Carter's. But the selectors, as they have done with the halfbacks, like to have players with different skills in the same position so Barrett may have to bide his time.
The fitness of Carter was about the only immediate or apparent concern for coach Steve Hansen as he surveyed the fallout from the side's 21-11 victory against the Springboks in Dunedin.
Next up are Argentina in a fortnight at La Plata before the All Blacks then travel to South Africa and the final duel with the Wallabies in Brisbane.
Most of the All Blacks were carrying some damage from their ferocious duel with the Springboks but none were on the doubtful to travel list.
Carter is recovering from his calf muscle injury and Hansen believes he will be fit to travel when the team assembles and flies out on Saturday.
If there was any doubt, standby five-eighths Barrett could be taken in the squad limit of 28 players with options then to leave a prop or perhaps one loose forward behind.
"We'll wait and see what the medical staff say," Hansen said.
If Carter was given an unconditional medical clearance then the original squad would head out for the squad's final Rugby Championship matches.
Hansen said the All Blacks had ground their way back into the test after struggling in the opening quarter against a desperate opponent in a torrid test.
"Test matches like that sometimes really test your character and I was really pleased with the character of our older statesmen plus the younger players.
It was not a complete performance obviously in what had been a torrid encounter.
Cruden and Smith in the second half had learned a great deal from their involvement in that sort of scrap.
