Judging by what we saw on Friday night in Wellington, we are reaching the stage of the season when the rugby is going to tighten up and become a lot closer to test matches in terms of style, intensity and physicality.

Hurricanes skipper Conrad Smith has surprised himself with how well he has recovered after the sickening head knock he suffered against the Bulls in Pretoria.

Just when you thought the Hurricanes' season was over they found a way to give it some life.

If the Hurricanes look a long way into the distance they might be able to make out the Super Rugby playoffs.

The Hurricanes face a pivotal fortnight on the South African high veldt of Pretoria and Bloemfontein which will likely define their Super Rugby season.

Troubled rugby star Julian Savea will return to the field next weekend when the Hurricanes travel to South Africa to face the Bulls.

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett was this week grilled on why he decided to name wing Julian Savea in his team to play the Force.

Hurricane Dane Coles has been ruled out of tonight's match against the Western Force with a fractured eye socket and could be sidelined for up to six weeks.

All sorts of pictures have been painted about the return clash between the Blues and Hurricanes but ultimately the five-eighths landscape should dictate this result.

You probably haven't noticed but the Hurricanes have won their past four games.

It was hard to tell which Savea brother was better as the Hurricanes picked apart the Waratahs 41-29 at the Cake Tin last night.