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 co-captains Ben Smith and Nasi Manu hoist the Super Rugby trophy after their victory over the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium. Photo / Mark Mitchell
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 allseason, 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.
All of the Highlanders' All Blacks stood out as you'd expect them to - Ben Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Aaron Smith, Waisake Naholo, Lima Sopoaga - but it was also unheralded ones like Elliot Dixon (who showed great strength to score a first-half try), Nasi Manu, Mark Reddish, Marty Banks and Richard Buckman who helped make the difference. And when Banks potted a dropped goal with three minutes remaining - he sensationally ran the ball when in position on two previous occasions - Highlanders fans might have finally started to believe.
There was no Colin Hawke to ruin it this time. A first Super Rugby title in 20 years was secured.
