Coach Chris Boyd

Bye week comes at the right time for Hurricanes as niggles creep in

After an impressive 41-15 win over the Highlanders on Saturday night, you may have thought the desire to keep up momentum would be strong. 

But the sight of captain Dane Coles with an icepack strapped to his right knee, lock Michael Fatialofa sporting a limp and Matt Proctor sustaining a head knock late in the game meant Boyd felt it was a good time for a break.

"I think it's a nice time for us to have one.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd tips the Lions to top the Super Rugby standings this year

That's the assessment of Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd, whose side defeated the Lions in last year's decider.

Boyd doesn't base this year's verdict on a belief that the Lions are far and away the best team in the competition. More that the South African side's soft draw means they should enjoy a home playoff run in Johannesburg.

The Stormers burgled their way into a home quarterfinal, thanks in part to no clashes with any New Zealand franchises. Now it's the Lions' turn.