The Highlanders produced heist after heist all season but unleashed Super Rugby’s version of daylight robbery on Saturday against the Hurricanes to claim a maiden title.
The little-fancied southerners upset the top-qualifying hosts 21-14 in a dramatic final in Wellington, silencing an expectant crowd of 36,000 at Westpac Stadium.
Victory is only the second time a team qualifying outside the top two has lifted the silverware in the 20-year history of Super Rugby.
Tries either side of halftime to flanker Elliot Dixon and winger Waisake Naholo proved the difference, along with defiant defence over the last half-hour as the Hurricanes threw everything into the pursuit of their first crown.
They couldn’t crack the visitors, who had proved the odds and the pundits wrong all season.
Coach Jamie Joseph believed tough playoff wins over title contenders the Chiefs and NSW Waratahs had given his side a superior final preparation to their opponents.
It explained their courageous finish when the Hurricanes made most of the play in the second half.
“There was a time there where it started to slip away from us but real credit to the heart and soul of our team. Our leaders really stood up,” Joseph said.
“It’s been a long time since there’s been some real success in the deep south so it’ll mean a hell of a lot for the region.”
As they did in Sydney last week, the Highlanders kicked cleverly, defended robustly and counter-attacked with intent.
Their no-name forward pack again out-pointed higher-rated opposites, while halves Aaron Smith and Lima Sopoaga completed superb seasons with controlling performances.
Competition-leading point-scorer Sopoaga eclipsed All Blacks opposite Beauden Barrett in general play and goalkicking.
He landed three from three as the Highlanders took a 13-5 lead into halftime, while Barrett missed his first three attempts.
Departing inside centre Ma’a Nonu scored the Hurricanes’ only try, crossing from a slick blindside play to trail 6-5.
The visitors struck back quickly, although in contentious fashion a minute before halftime.
Man of the match Dixon charged 15 metres and grounded the ball on the foot of Hurricanes winger Nehe Milner-Skudder when he reached out to score.
Dixon appeared to lose the ball forward and reacted in disappointed fashion, but television match official Ben Skeen ruled the ball had also found grass.
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd disagreed.
“I actually thought he’d lost the ball but we tend to look at these things out of our own eyes,” he said.
“At the end of the day, it was pretty critical.”
Boyd didn’t want to make excuses, blaming his team’s uncharacteristic mistakes and the Highlanders’ all-purpose methods for a gutting loss.
Joseph couldn’t understate the value of Dixon’s try.
“We were able to go into the tunnel with a lot of confidence because we were off our feet two or three minutes prior to that.”
The visitors pulled clear 18-8 when winger Naholo scored his competition-leading 13th try of the year.
Two Barrett penalties reduced the margin to four points but the final scoring act was a drop-goal to Highlanders replacement Marty Banks.
A decisive moment came 20 minutes from the end when unmarked winger Julian Savea spilled a catchable pass five metres out from the line which would have levelled the scores.
The result was a triumphant way to farewell Edinburgh-bound Highlanders co-captain Nasi Manu.
Six Hurricanes leave on a losing note, including iconic midfield pairing of captain Conrad Smith and Nonu, who will play in France next year.
AT A GLANCE
Highlanders 21 (Elliot Dixon, Waisake Naholo tries; Lima Sopoaga 2 penalties, conversion; Marty Banks drop goal) Hurricanes 14 (Ma’a Nonu try; Beauden Barrett 3 penalties)
Source: AAP
