ACT Brumbies winger James Dargaville had his eyes on the ball and would have caught it, too, had Israel Dagg not leapt over the top of him in Christchurch on Saturday night.

But a controversial grey area with mid-air collisions cost the Brumbies dearly as they lost to the Canterbury Crusaders 17-13.

Dargaville was given a yellow card after Dagg's legs were taken from underneath him and the Crusaders centurion landed awkwardly.

It's clear Dargaville was playing the ball and didn't know where Dagg was before they collided. But does an accidentally clash deserve a yellow card and 10 minutes in the sin bin?

The moment changed the game, although both teams had plenty more opportunities after the first-half incident.

The Crusaders scored just before Dargaville returned to the field and in the end it was the difference.

Players have a responsibility to protect someone leaping for the ball, but they deserve an equal right to compete.

CHRISTIAN LEALIIFANO'S ADVICE

Brumby Christian Lealiifano surprises team members at the airport before leaving with the squad to New Zealand. Photo: Jay Cronan

Christian Lealiifano surprised his Brumbies teammates by joining them for a trip to New Zealand and he looms as an inspirational waterboy for the rest of the year.

Lealiifano will travel with the team occasionally and be at home games as he continues his recovery from leukaemia.

The Brumbies co-captain was running water on to the field and the kicking tee to his replacement, Wharenui Hawera, and passing on advice whenever he could.

Lealiifano's presence will be a massive boost for the team, especially for rookie playmaker Hawera.

Hawera showed he's cool under pressure, slotting a near-sideline conversion and a late penalty to keep the Brumbies in the contest.

STARTING WITH HEAVY HEARTS

Anthony, Colby and Saia Faingaa. Photo: Lannon Harley

The Brumbies will honour Saia, Anthony and Colby Faingaa's father on Saturday. Photo: Karleen Minney

The ACT Brumbies started their Super Rugby season with heavy hearts on Saturday after the father of Saia and Anthony Faingaa died earlier this week.

The Brumbies granted Saia and Anthony personal leave this week to be with family after Saia Senior died in Tonga.

The pair didn't make the trip to Christchurch for the Brumbies' season-opener against the Crusaders.

But they were at the front of the players' minds, with the squad to wearing black armbands with a double meaning.

The Brumbies paid their respects to Saia Senior and former player Dan Vickerman by wearing an armband in the first game of the Super Rugby campaign.

Saia and Anthony are Queanbeyan juniors and younger brother Colby also played for the Brumbies before joining the Melbourne Rebels.

WILL THE NEW ZEALAND DOMINANCE CONTINUE?

The Brumbies haven't won in Christchurch for 17 years and they haven't won anywhere in New Zealand since 2014.

They got close on Saturday night, but New Zealand teams already hold a 2-0 advantage over their Australian rivals.

Australian teams won just three of 26 trans-Tasman games last year in a lopsided Super Rugby battle.

The Auckland Blues thrashed the Melbourne Rebels on Thursday night and then the Brumbies fought to the death against the Crusaders.

The early signs aren't good for a shot at redemption, and the Brumbies' next Kiwi mission is against the Otago Highlanders on March 25.