Conrad Smith is attended to after suffering a head knock against the Bulls. Photo /Getty Images
Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett says captain Conrad Smith will miss this weekend's clash with the Cheetahs but is improving faster than expected following a heavy head knock last weekend.
Smith was knocked out during Sunday's 48-14 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria as he went in to make a tackle
on his opposite number JJ Engelbrecht mid-way through the first half.
The 31-year-old was carted off the paddock on a stretcher following the sickening collision with Engelbrecht's hip but regained consciousness shortly after and was taken to hospital after the game for scans on his neck, which eventually came back clear.
Hammett said today that the All Black centre is on the improve.
"He's doing very well actually. He's in very good state. He came down to training with us and took a very limited part in that. In terms of his general well being, general feeling, he's very up. Probably more so than he thought he would be as well."
