Tonight's game was a case of rampant attack - the Hurricanes scored the second-most points during the regular season - against the stoic Brumbies who conceded the fewest in 2015.
But it's easy to forget that the Hurricanes' campaign was built on efficient tackling before their attack took shape and that mentality was evident again as the pressure of knockout rugby took hold.
"Their defence was terrific," Brumbies captain Stephen Moore said. "They covered the field well, put us under pressure there. So, particularly early on, we had some good ball there at the back end of the first half and they held us out and you do need good defence like that to win the competition."
The Brumbies had to rely on penalties throughout the match and scoring in threes wasn't enough to overhaul what the Hurricanes produced.
The memory of the late Jerry Collins - the former Hurricanes flanker who died in a car accident in France recently - was alive in the Cake Tin, a ground where he played so many games for Wellington and his beloved Hurricanes.
Aisle six in Westpac Stadium had a blue tinge - Collins always tried to squeeze in a game in the blue and white jersey of the Norths club whenever he could - and a giant Hurricanes No 6 replica jersey was spread out on the field before kick-off in tribute.
A handful of current Hurricanes played with Collins but many in this vintage grew up idolising a player who represented the side during some of their best years.
It was during those glory days - think 2000-2009 - when Westpac Stadium used to come alive with big crowds flocking to see what the Hurricanes would serve up next.
They had thrilling players like Tana Umaga, Christian Cullen and Collins in their mix but the new breed have Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett and Nehe Milner-Skudder and 33,460 people were in attendance tonight.
"It is particularly pleasing to run out to that sort of crowd," Hurricanes skipper Conrad Smith said.
The Hurricanes took a 12-3 lead to the break tonight but they should have been further ahead as poor handling held them back.
There was always going to be a question mark around how much the Brumbies would have in the tank at the end of the game compared to the rested Hurricanes, given the Brumbies had to overcome the Stormers in Cape Town in an elimination final last weekend.
"There's a little bit of fatigue coming in to this game but I just thought the Hurricanes outplayed us," Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said.
Hurricanes flanker Ardie Savea, a player who must have been unlucky to miss All Blacks selection last weekend, added a crucial try early in the second spell, which left the visitors playing catch-up.
That game proved too tough for the Brumbies and the hottest ticket in Wellington next Saturday night will be for the Super Rugby final.
Hurricanes 29 (J. Savea, TJ Perenara, A. Savea, M. Proctor tries; B. Barrett con, J. Marshall pen, 2 cons) Brumbies 9 (J. Mogg pen, C. Lealiifano 2 pens). Halftime: 12-3.
