Get ready for some stats. In a battle between two sides both gunning for their first Super Rugby title, the Highlanders came out on top – becoming only the 4th away side in the competition’s history win a final and only the 2nd side ever to win it from outside the top 2. In short, a win for the Otago side wasn’t really on the cards, particularly when playing against a side who have been as ruthlessly impressive as the Hurricanes have been throughout the year.
But it became pretty clear from the outset that past form wasn’t really going to matter in this one. Both sides tore into each other from the off with ambition and speed, playing of turnovers – of which there were plenty. But Beauden Barrett – who endured a pretty average first half – missed his two attempts at goal off the tee, whilst Lima Sopoaga had no such problems. Gradually, though, the men in yellow were having the better chances and starting to dominate, although they were struggling to get over the whitewash thanks to some superb defence from the visitors, with Aaron Smith showing superb strength on the goal line to hold up what looked like a certain try, before Ma’a Nonu eventually did find his way over in the corner for the game’s first try, three minutes from half time. Despite another missed kick from Barrett, perhaps the Hurricanes had finally turned the tide going into the break.
The Highlanders had different ideas though, as Elliot Dixon – a standout in a magnificent display by the ‘nameless’ Highlanders pack (with not one All Black) – bludgeoned his way over from 20 metres, swatting off 4 would-be tacklers on the way. There were doubts about the grounding – and there still are – but the TMO ruled the ball had hit grass, as well as Milner-Skudder’s foot. Another superb Sopoaga kick put Dixon’s side well in control.
The Highlanders led 13 – 5 going into the break, and soon it got even better for the Otago men – after Barrett had finally found his kicking boots and nudged over 3 points for the Canes, in-form winger Waisake Naholo crashed over for the visitors’ second score, stepping inside the disappointing Julian Savea and Barrett to leave the score at 18-8.
In truth though, the Canes should have been level within 15 minutes – after another Barrett penalty, Savea bombed one of the most straightforward chances of the season, spilling the ball with the line at his mercy. The hosts hadn’t clicked all night – a sign of the pressure brought on by the time occasion and a superb Highlanders defence.
We then entered squeaky bum time, as Barrett pulled his side back to within 4 points – but in truth they never really got a chance to rein in their opponents, as visitors demonstrated all their intelligence and nous to control the final 10 minutes, with substitute Marty Banks proving to be the unlikely hero as the scruffy replacement fly half hit a perfectly struck drop goal to put his side 7 clear. From there, there was no coming back for the Canes and Aaron Smith hoofed the ball out to end 20 years of hurt for the Highlanders.
Considering its reputation as a party town, I would imagine that Otago was a good place to be, now they had a real excuse to open up the taps.
Here is the highlights video from the final:
Yep. Have an inkling that the Hurricanes may not get another shot as good as the 1 they just bombed.
As the author stated, Barrett’s missed kicks & Dixon’s ‘try’, as did Savea’s butchered one, proved pretty crucial in the end.
The other thing that hampered the Hurricanes IMO was the loss of Ardie Savea (I picked him for the AB squad along with Geo Moala 18 mths back, but what do I – or the AB selectors – know?) who had been dominant @ the breakdown previously. Would likely have denied the Highlanders more possession.
Otago played the more varied game & Ben Smith in particular, was pin point with his kicking. Aaron Smith was, mostly, not too far behind his namesake in this respect. They also defended well and the longer the game wore on the harder it got for Wellington as time pressed.
Although overall stats favoured the hurricanes & it’s hard to criticise them for they way they played as this got them a home final, but @ times, TJ Perenara especially, threw a few too many speculative passes rather than id target runners. They lost potentially vital possession, particularly later on, in this fashion. In the end this & the other aforementioned factors, dun for them.
Pity, as, for me, they played proper rugger.