Underdog tag proves powerful motivator

Nasi Manu, of the Highlanders, shows off the silverware to thousands of fans gathered at Dunedin Airport to welcome their victorious team home. Photo / Getty Images

The Highlanders won the Super Rugby final because they took their opportunities when the key moments arose.

Both they and the Hurricanes had their share of chances during a highly-entertaining contest but Jamie Joseph's men built early pressure on the scoreboard, which proved crucial.

Playing catch-up against a side like the Highlanders was always going to be a tough ask for the Hurricanes particularly given the defensive wall they met in the second spell.

One team was always going to create a moment of history for their franchise given neither had won the competition before, while the other was set to endure bitter disappointment.

You had to feel for the Hurricanes given they had set the pace during the season but when the heat went on they weren't able to produce the killer punches they needed.

Their execution proved costly and the Highlanders appeared to play with more freedom given they embraced the underdog tag.

They adopted a siege mentality as they led themselves to believe that nobody gave them a chance and it proved a powerful motivator.

The side reminded me of the Crusaders teams that I played in during the late 1990s; we performed our core roles well and were an accurate bunch.

Joseph's side also backed their gameplan, which helped their ability to execute it at the right time because the players all clearly understood their jobs.

During the final six weeks of the competition, the Highlanders peaked at the right time and were rewarded handsomely.

Elliot Dixon's first-half try has been a point of contention for many fans after the final but in my mind, it wasn't a deciding factor in the game.

You could see the Highlanders had points in them and they were going to accumulate them one way or another; the Hurricanes cannot feel aggrieved by the call given they had opportunities to score their own tries.

Also, Wednesday's test match between the All Blacks and Samoa in Apia promises to be a historic occasion and it will be a match where the All Blacks need their senior players to lead by example.

Steve Hansen's men will meet a fired-up home side and in situations like that, players with experience need to front to lead their team.

I don't think it's the type of game where the All Blacks can afford to experiment with their line-up even though it's not the strongest Samoan side available.

Many of the former internationals that I spoke to during the weekend all delivered the same message: this game will be tricky for the All Blacks.

Having two New Zealand sides in the Super Rugby final has forced Hansen's selections to a degree but there are still a host of seasoned campaigners at his disposal and I hope they will be deployed in Apia.

While the conditions will be challenging, the All Blacks are supremely fit and have made a habit of wearing their opponents down and I don't think that trend will change this week.