Strikepower will be the theme for tonight's shootout at the Cake Tin as the two most expressive New Zealand sides square off.

The only top-half-of-the-table clash of the final round, so the eighth-placed Hurricanes - reinforced by Victor Vito and probably Cory Jane - must win and then hope for an upset in another match.

Patrick McKendry lists five reasons why a New Zealand team will win this year's Super Rugby competition.

A look back at round 17 of the Super 15 and which teams and players stood out.