Super Rugby: Last five finals
Saturday 6 August 2016 08:33, UK
Ahead of the Super Rugby showpiece between the Hurricanes and the Lions on Saturday, we look back on the last five finals.
The two sides clash in Wellington live on Sky Sports, with fans hoping both will employ the expansive rugby that has brought success throughout the season.
With the showdown just hours away, we look back on the last five finals...
2011: Reds 18-13 Crusaders
The Reds were crowned Super Rugby champions for the first time after edging out the Crusaders 18-13 in a thrilling final at Suncorp Stadium.
The Australian franchise claimed the title thanks to a moment of individual brilliance from scrum-half Will Genia, who jinked his way to a match-winning try with 12 minutes remaining.
The Crusaders had previously led through Dan Carter's 13-point haul, however it took something special from Genia to deny them.
The scrum-half feigned to kick in midfield before stepping Richie McCaw to open up a gap through which he raced. The Wallaby had supporting team-mates, but was able to finish the score himself, handing the Reds victory.
It was a tough season for the Crusaders who were forced to move their home games around after an earthquake damaged their stadium, even playing against the Sharks at Twickenham Stadium.
2012: Chiefs 37-6 Sharks
The Chiefs thrashed the Sharks 37-6 to be crowned Super Rugby champions for the first time in the franchise's history.
On a wet night in Hamilton the New Zealanders proved far too strong for their South African opponents, running in four tries without reply to bury the ghost of their 61-17 final defeat to the Bulls back in 2009.
Sonny Bill Williams marked his final game for the team by touching down in the second half while fly-half Aaron Cruden kicked 17 points in one of the most one-sided finals in history.
Tim Nanai-Williams, Kane Thompson and Lelia Masaga also crossed for the Chiefs, while all the Sharks could muster in reply were a pair of penalties from Frederic Michalak.
2013: Chiefs 27-22 Brumbies
The Chiefs fought back from a 10-point deficit late in the 2013 final to win back-to-back Super Rugby titles in Hamilton. The Brumbies were in control for the first hour of the match, but faded late as the Chiefs showcased their credentials.
Christian Leali'ifano was the hero for the Australians, scoring all 22 of their points with five penalties and a first-half try which he converted.
Aaron Cruden kept the Chiefs in the game with four penalties before the travel started to tell on the visitors - the Brumbies had played their quarter-final in Australia and a semi-final in South Africa before heading to New Zealand for the final.
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The Brumbies were 10 points to the good with 16 minutes remaining when Chiefs flanker Liam Messam wrestled over from a five-metre scrum to reduce the deficit to five points.
The Brumbies then surrendered the lead they'd held for the entire match when Robbie Robinson ghosted through the defence to level the scores in the 68th minute, with Cruden's conversion nosing the defending champions in front.
The score was enough for the Chiefs to claim victory, becoming only the fourth side in history to successfully defend their title.
2014: Waratahs 33-32 Crusaders
The Waratahs clinched their first Super Rugby title with a 33-32 victory over the seven-time champions Crusaders in a tense Sydney finale.
In two prior final appearances - 2005 and 2008 - the Waratahs were beaten by the Crusaders, but the Australians exacted revenge on the Christchurch-based franchise through a last-gasp Bernard Foley penalty from 35 metres out.
Moments earlier it looked like Foley's opposite number Colin Slade had clinched victory for the New Zealanders when he landed a 77th-minute three-pointer of his own.
But it was not to be for the visitors as Adam Ashley-Cooper's brace of tries combined with 18 points from the precise boot of Foley was enough to nullify Slade's contribution of 20 points and tries from Crusaders flanker Matt Todd and winger Nemani Nadaolo.
2015: Hurricanes 14-21 Highlanders
The Highlanders survived a late fightback from the Hurricanes in last year's final to take their maiden Super Rugby title with a 21-14 win.
The Highlanders led for most of the encounter despite being starved of territory and possession by their opponents, but were forced to defend furiously in the latter stages of the game to win the 2015 Super Rugby edition.
A try from Elliot Dixon on the half-time hooter gave the Highlanders a 13-5 lead going into the break before Waisake Naholo crossed early in the second half to increase the advantage.
But thereafter the visitors were endured a sustained period of enterprise from the Hurricanes as they sought to overturn the advantage through the boot of Beauden Barrett.
The Highlanders were ultimately able to hold on to their narrow lead before a drop goal from Marty Banks with four minutes remaining gave them breathing space and the eventual win and title.
Watch the Super Rugby final live on Sky Sports 3 HD on Saturday from 8am. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.
