Wellington’s Lion tamers

The Hurricanes blew away the Lions in a roaring defensive display to claim their first Super Rugby title – and now PlaceMakers is already looking forward to continuing its sponsorship of the nation’s favourite competition into next season! 

The Hurricanes’ 20-3 title-winning victory at Westpac Stadium came 21 years after the team’s debut against the Blues in the inaugural Super 12 match at The Showgrounds in Palmerston North.

The result capped a stellar year for the men in black and yellow, as their tough tackling proved the old cliché true that a solid defence will win you the championship.

That being said, Beauden Barrett’s golden boot and the slick hands of local legend Cory Jane were crucial in setting the tone of the match. Barrett kicked two penalties and converted his own try, as well as Jane’s, to finish as the season’s top scorer with 223 points, ahead of the Chiefs’ Damian McKenzie on 199.

The win also provided a memorable farewell for veteran number 8 and hometown hero Victor Vito, who donned the Hurricanes jersey for the 100th and final time.

While the Hurricanes have plenty to celebrate this coming off-season, they won’t be able to rest on their laurels. The Lions, appearing in their first final, showed a determination and grit that will no doubt see them back next year as one of the competition’s front runners. They will be joined by 16 other teams, all nipping at the newly crowned champion’s heels.

Among them, the Highlanders will be hungry to taste gold again after falling short of defending the title they won in 2015. The Chiefs and Crusaders will no doubt be contenders once again, while the Blues’ fortunes appear to be shifting after they finished the season strongly with consecutive wins at their Eden Park fortress.

In the meantime, attention turns to the national side – in which Super Rugby’s finest will come together and give their all to honour the black jersey.