KEY POINTS:
It was the best game of the season, the Crusaders-Blues match, and sorted out a few things for the All Black selectors.
I'd say Keven Mealamu cemented his place in the test front row against Corey Flynn. The latter made too many silly mistakes and misjudgments - despite
his two tries - while Mealamu was busy and constructive and the Blues scrum dominated.
I'd say Tony Woodcock also booked a spot. The "myth", as former Wallaby prop Andrew Blades termed him, has stood up since Blades dismissed him and since he has had people watching him.
His battle with Greg Somerville was a beauty and, even though Woodcock won it, Somerville played pretty well too and I'd say those two will be the test props.
Ali Williams had an outstanding match at lock and you could see the gulf between him and Troy Flavell. The latter made two or three blunders which just shouldn't be in evidence at this level.
Richie McCaw was magnificent - easily the best loosie, and, again, you could spot the gulf between him and Daniel Braid.
Closely following McCaw as the outstanding loosie was Kieran Read. No matter that Reuben Thorne is going - this guy is shaping as an ideal replacement and his round-the-field work and support play was excellent. You could do worse than have a longshot punt on him getting an All Black run this year.
I was surprised just how easily the Crusaders held the Blues backs - who are a creative, attacking lot. Andy Ellis had a good game although it is moot whether he has done enough to edge out Brendon Leonard at halfback.
Nick Evans, I thought, probably underlined his second-tier status. To miss a penalty kick for touch at such a crucial juncture was such a schoolboy error that a schoolboy would have been ashamed of it. If, as everyone says, he is negotiating a contract in the Northern Hemisphere, he will have been hoping the satellite was down for that bit.
Caleb Ralph played well at centre but, while I don't think Ralph is up for the All Blacks, a lot of people are saying that his marker, Antony Tuitavake, should be.
Maybe, and I think Tuitavake has probably done enough to get a trial. But he only made one telling run and I think he needs to be played in a different team.
Sometimes if you play creative, flair players with instinctive attacking players, it just doesn't work. Sometimes you need to balance your inside backs so they can get the ball to the flair guys. That's what All Black second five-eighths Warwick Taylor used to do - he used to find space and holes for those around him, proving that you don't have to be a 110kg monster to beat defences.
I thought the young guy, Tim Bateman, did well at that, outpointing Benson Stanley. Both these guys might be All Black prospects of the future.
Finally, I thought Leon McDonald was excellent. He really showed his experience.
Mils Muliaina might have the inside running for fullback for the All Blacks but I wouldn't count McDonald out, he's playing so well.
