All Blacks coach Ian Foster signals his interest in Chiefs No 10 Aaron Cruden

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has indicated that door is well and truly open for an Aaron Cruden recall – if Cruden's deal in Japan doesn't prevent it.

Cruden's influence has been one of the features of the opening two rounds of Super Rugby and Foster was in the stands with All Blacks selector Grant Fox to watch Cruden guide the Chiefs past the Crusaders on Saturday.

Asked on Sky Sport's Breakdown show if Cruden was available, Foster replied, he thinks so.

Forster says to be fair they know Cruden is off to Japan at the end of the year and what that looks like he does not know the exact detail.

Cruden will head to Kobe in Japan, where Wayne Smith is the director of rugby, at the end of his one-year deal with the Chiefs, but the All Blacks have repeatedly selected players with overseas contracts.