Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has leapt to the defence of his two halfbacks.

Piri Weepu's form and fitness is under scrutiny, especially after he was dragged for Alby Mathewson in the 53rd minute at Westpac Stadium.

And Mathewson has come under fire for kicking the ball out after the hooter in the Hurricanes' 20-13 loss to the Crusaders on Friday night, rather than looking for a try that might have secured the draw.

Cooper dragged Weepu in the 53rd minute on Friday night and acknowledged yesterday the former All Blacks halfback's fitness was still not right as he worked his way back from pre-Christmas knee surgery.

"Piri is behind in his fitness [after surgery before Christmas] but he is getting better and better the more he plays. It's why I let him play club rugby [for Wainuiomata] - to help his fitness.

"He's not where he can be and where he needs to be."

Weepu, 24, had warned before the Super 14 kicked off that his fitness was an issue because he was still recovering from knee surgery.

But he had been confident he would sharpen up quickly. That hasn't happened - at least not as quickly as Weepu would have wanted.

He has played more than 60 minutes only twice - the last 63 against the Reds and 61 against the Highlanders.

He was taken off in the 57th minute against the Waratahs, the 59th against the Brumbies and the 37th against the Chiefs because of injury.

Mathewson was savaged by Wellington's radio commentary for kicking the ball out after the hooter. They accused the Hurricanes of surrendering.

Cooper said he was "screaming" at his players to put the ball out. "It's better to have one point than risk it for one more [from a draw]." If the Hurricanes had been able to win the match, it would have been different, Cooper said, but against the Crusaders' defence, playing for a draw would have been unduly risky.

The coach is also fed up with the persistent claims that the Hurricanes are a dirty team. He said they were penalised and free-kicked 16 times on Friday night, while the Crusaders conceded 24 penalties and free kicks, and had No8 Mose Tuiali'i sinbinned for persistent infringing.

Hurricanes flanker Jerry Collins was worried he might be cited for a high tackle on his opposite, Kieran Read, but it didn't happen.

Meanwhile, Daniel Carter is expected to be fit in time for the playoffs after he was ruled out for at least six weeks on Saturday with a badly sprained ankle suffered in Friday night's match.

The injury is a double blow for the Crusaders, who are already missing Carter's logical replacement, Stephen Brett, with a serious shoulder injury.

They have this weekend off with the bye and can seek a temporary replacement, but good quality first five-eighths aren't exactly thick on the ground.

Leon MacDonald is likely to fill in while Brett and Carter are sidelined.

Carter's injury shouldn't affect the All Blacks, who play their first test, against Ireland, in Wellington on June 7.

Crusaders doctor Tony Page said Carter, 26, had suffered a high ankle sprain. It was similar to an injury teammate Andrew Ellis suffered early in the Super 14, but possibly more severe.

"He will be unable to bear weight on the ankle during the initial stages of his recovery. Once the swelling has reduced, Dan will be reviewed and we will have a clearer picture of the likely time-line as to when he will be able to resume training." The Dominion Post