First take: Overzealous ref mars Crusaders win

Robbie Fruean was the victim of an unfortunate decision against the Hurricanes. Photo / Getty

Crusaders 35
Hurricanes 18

No one condones foul play anymore. Player safety is top of the bill for all rugby authorities and the days of public glory in petty villainy have gone.

However the finger pointing and decisions by match officials can also be far too zealous.

Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean had every cause to be mystified in his comeback game from a broken arm when he was sent to the bin for tackling Nehe Milner-Skudder who landed awkwardly.

Fruean was committed and did not lift his rival but the match officials in Nelson sent him to the bin.

The Crusaders will remember how Will Skelton figured in a number of more serious acts against them last week but went unpunished during the game.

They will also recall the open-side work of Ardie Savea whose energy, rampaging adventure and abrasive support play last night added more weight to his claims for international duty.

Savea deals to the basics strongly while his off the cuff moments are golden seams of menace.

Opposite him Richie McCaw played a much tighter game while Matt Todd roamed wider where he was resourceful and snagged a fine support try running off the hip of the dangerous Nemani Nadolo.

There were hefty chunks of information for the All Black selectors to file as they eye their opening squad--Daniel Carter back at first five eighths, Savea, Milner-Skudder, James Broadhurst, Jordan Taufua and Reggie Goodes-the list of contenders is growing.

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