The Highlanders are 2015 Super Rugby champions after beating the Hurricanes 21-14 in the capital.

Don't let anyone tell you that southern blokes don't cry, because even the most gnarly farmer, freezing worker or shearer - whether they be in the Maniototo, Bluff or Oamaru - must have sobbed with delight when the magnificent Highlanders upset the Hurricanes 21-14 to win their first Super Rugby title in the Cake Tin on Saturday night. This was glorious stuff.

For the Hurricanes there was to be no fairytale farewell for departing veterans Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu but for the Highlanders this was the perfect way to say goodbye to one of their toughest servants in co-captain Nasi Manu. Denied the chance to celebrate a party for Tony Brown after losing the 1999 final to the Crusaders, the Highlanders can now have a bender for Ben Smith's boys. Yes, this knees-up could last for days. Be on high alert in the southern towns.

When did anyone last see a Super Rugby match be played at such a frenetic pace? Things started in an orthodox manner when the Hurricanes, having received the kick-off, immediately banged the ball in touch to allow their forwards to eyeball the Highlanders as they formed a five-man lineout near halfway.

PHOTOSPORT The Highlanders celebrate after beating the Hurricanes to win the Super Rugby title in Wellington on Saturday night.

Then, almost immediately, things went ballistic. Players both sides went at each other like mad men. Rugby folklore is dotted with tales of players grumbling about the opposition being "on something" as they sat in the changing sheds sucking oxygen into their heaving lungs and soothing their scrapes.

When the All Blacks lost to France in Nantes in 1986 and Otago succumbed to Waikato in the NPC final in Hamilton 1992, some members of the defeated teams wondered what could possess their mad-eyed opponents to charge around as if they had fire in their veins. There will be no suggestions of illicit substances being filtered into water bottles after this cracker.

Hunger, passion and a burning desire to go where their predecessors had failed was precious fuel that drove the two teams to go so hard in Wellington and the results were spectacular.

1 of 15 HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES Hurricanes prop Ben Franks charges forward during the Super Rugby final. 2 of 15 Hannah Peters Lima Sopoaga of the Highlanders kicks the ball through to launch an attack. 3 of 15 PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES Waisake Naholo of the Highlanders scores a try despite the tackles of Dane Coles and Julian Savea. 4 of 15 GETTY IMAGES Elliot Dixon of the Highlanders reaches over to score a try. 5 of 15 ROB JEFFERIES/GETTY IMAGES TJ Perenara of the Hurricanes on the attack at Westpac Stadium. 6 of 15 PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES Jeremy Thrush of the Hurricanes takes the ball in the lineout ahead of Mark Reddish of the Highlanders. 7 of 15 HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES Ben Smith of the Highlanders slips as he tries to make a break. 8 of 15 ROB JEFFERIES/GETTY IMAGES Julian Savea of the Hurricanes is tackled by Waisake Naholo of the Highlanders. 9 of 15 ROB JEFFERIES/GETTY IMAGES Aaron Smith makes a clearance kick for the Highlanders at Westpac Stadium. 10 of 15 PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES James Broadhurst of the Hurricanes is tackled by Brendon Edmonds of the Highlanders. 11 of 15 HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES Halfback Aaron Smith of the Highlanders looks to offload has his team press the Hurricanes. 12 of 15 PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES Victor Vito of the Hurricanes tucks the ball under his shirt and makes ground. 13 of 15 ROB JEFFERIES/GETTY IMAGES Brad Shields of the Hurricanes makes a charge at the Highlanders' defence. 14 of 15 HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES Richard Buckman of the Highlanders is pulled back by Ma'a Nonu. 15 of 15 ROB JEFFERIES/GETTY IMAGES A general view of Westpac Stadium before kick-off for the Super Rugby final.

Anyone thinking the Highlanders would be leg-weary after their sudden-death matches against the Waratahs and Chiefs was forced to have a re-think; they maintained true to their ethos of stressing their enemy by quickly attacking from turnovers, keeping the ball alive in the tackle and throwing relentless waves of runners into bodies or space.

At times the defence was simply brutal. It says plenty for the Highlanders' work ethic that front rowers Brendon Edmonds, Liam Coltman and Josh Hohneck were among their meanest operators.

Coltman got a brief glimpse of the big time when he was invited to train with the All Blacks a few seasons back and his combination with Edmonds and Hohneck has been one of the feel-good stories of the Highlanders' season.

CAMERON BURNELL / FAIRFAX NZ Spectators at the Wellington fan zone react to the Highlanders win over the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby Final.

READ MORE: Highlanders are Super Rugby's comeback kings

RECAP: Hurricanes vs Highlanders - As it happened

Blindside flanker Elliot Dixon has been one of those slow burners that have proved so valuable for Jamie Joseph this year.

Dixon, a man who gives the impression he would bleed metal filings if you split his flesh, continued his tremendous form and few could believe he possessed the power and determination to score his magnificent try late in the first half.

Dixon beat four defenders during a 22m sprint to the white chalk and somehow forced the ball over, despite Nehe Milner-Skudder's flailing boot.

The Hurricanes ducked and swerved like a brave welterweight to surge back to within four points in the second spell and their tenacity was epitomised by the way Beauden Barrett overcome his kicking yips - missing his first three shots - but they had no answer to this remarkable team from the deep south.

Good on you, mate.









