Highlanders co-captains Ben Smith and Nasi Manu hoist the Super Rugby trophy after their victory over the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Highlanders 21 Hurricanes 14
For long-suffering Highlanders and Otago fans - and I have been suffering for a long time - it wouldn't have mattered how the Highlanders won the 2015 Super Rugby final.
But it was actually terrific entertainment, which was appropriate given the way they had played all
season, and befitting of a final.
The Hurricanes definitely added to the spectacle as both sides played running rugby but the Highlanders were that little bit more adventurous, ruthless on attack, rugged on defence and strong in the set-piece and deserved their 21-14 win.
The Hurricanes didn't do a lot wrong in the final at the Cake Tin. The favourites put the visitors under tremendous pressure for long periods but couldn't find a way through when it really mattered. It didn't help that Julian Savea dropped a pass with the line virtually open in the second half but Hurricanes fans might have forgiven him after his performance for the All Blacks in the World Cup quarter-final against France.
