WELLINGTON – The Highlanders have been crowned Super Rugby Champions after beating the Hurricanes 21-14 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
Tries to try-scoring machine Waisake Naholo and stalwart Elliot Dixon and three penalties by reliable boot Lima Sopoaga sealed the first title for the men from the deep who outscored the home team who just managed the one try and three penalties.
In a fast and frenetic match widely thought, before the match to be a battle between two styles of rugby, the favoured Hurricanes not so much froze as they were outplayed by a Highlanders team brimming with a forward pack of world-class quality.
Stoic in defence and wiry on attack, the Highlanders were physical up front and unrelenting in their defence as their consistent line speed told on a Hurricanes line-up that looked out of ideas.
All Black duo Aaron Smith and Lima Sopoaga constantly turned the Hurricanes around and kept them in their own half and commanded the game to such length that you wouldn’t be surprised if you saw the same combination in black against Samoa in Apia on Wednesday.
On top of the 9 and 10 doing it for the Highlanders, their forward pack was little less than heroic. They dominated the break-down and set piece and never let the Hurricanes settle into any rhythm. The ferocity in which unheralded forwards like Josh Hohneck and Elliot Dixon played with is a testament to coach and former Wellington coach Jamie Joseph.
As for the Hurricanes, they were simply outclassed. The absence of Ardie Savea, who was ruled out just hours before the game after an injury sustained in the semi final against the Brumbies, was telling as the home team just couldn’t get any traction with ball in hand. Players who had shone for them during the season ie, Milner-Scudder, Shields, Nonu, Perenara, went missing at crucial times.
In saying that, it’s not like they didn’t have their chances. Pivot Beauden Barrett missed three costly kicks and Julian Savea bombed a certain try 5m out from the chalk, fumbling a pass that was slightly behind him.
FINAL SCORE
Hurricanes – 14 – Nonu try, Barrett 3 penalties
Highlanders – 21 – Naholo, Dixon tries Sopoaga 3 penalties