Brumbies

The first five-eighth had surgery on Sunday for a fractured bone in his left hand. Mo'unga told team management it was sore after they held on for a 17-13 victory at AMI Stadium on Saturday night.

"He is recovering well and expected to require approximately six to eight weeks before returning to play," the team said in a press release on Sunday night.

It seems likely Marty McKenzie will take over from Mo'unga against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday evening.

Seta Tamanivalu and Whetu Douglas also went over for the home side, with Richie Mo'unga adding a conversion as a determined Crusaders recorded their seventh successive victory over the Canberra-based side.

Lock Rory Arnold scored an early second half try for the Brumbies, while flyhalf Wharenui Hawera added two penalties and a conversion.

The Crusaders had made a blistering start with All Blacks centre Tamanivalu, playing on the wing, scoring after just three minutes of his first official Super Rugby game for the seven-times champions since his transfer from the Chiefs.

The Highlanders have typically found the Brumbies' headquarters a frigid, hostile environment when it was known as Bruce Stadium, but interest has waned dramatically in the Australian capital despite the two-time champions claiming Australia's conference.