There is a commonsense solution to the problem that is Ma'a Nonu - mediation between him and Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett to pave the way for a return to the capital.

The Chiefs have claimed the New Zealand conference title thanks to the Crusaders' unimpressive 25 - 17 victory over the Hurricanes in Christchurch tonight.

It's not often that a dead game has so much life.

After years of searching and endless rejections, the Blues may have at last found their world-class No 10 - with Beauden Barrett understood to be seriously contemplating a shift to Auckland.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph must have watched his side's 49-44 victory over the Hurricanes in Wellington tonight wondering `where has this been all year?'.

When it comes to the possibility of Ma'a Nonu returning to the Hurricanes, coach Mark Hammett believes "you never say never''.

Most rugby players carry niggling injuries during the season but James Marshall has struggled with the same complaint for the past four years.

Mark Hammett did things differently this week. He showed his Hurricanes squad the Super rugby points table and then felt comfortable enough to discuss that with the media.

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.

After Conrad Smith was knocked out in the Hurricanes' 48-14 loss to the Bulls, coach Mark Hammett has had to select a new centre for the first time since 2011.

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