Hurricanes to face Lions in Super Rugby final

A new champion will raise the Super Rugby trophy next weekend, with the Hurricanes and the Lions booking their spots in the finale after convincing wins overnight.

Both sides took down former champions to earn their spot in the final, with the Hurricanes beating the Chiefs 25‑9, before the Lions swept past the Highlanders 42‑30 to make their first final.

For both franchises, it is a chance to avenge years of suffering.

The Hurricanes are the only New Zealand team not to win a Super Rugby title, having twice finished runners‑up over their 21 year history.

Willis Halaholo, Beauden Barrett and Victor Vito scored the tries for the Hurricanes while the Chiefs were try less in the first semi-final.

The Hurricanes have now gone 3 hours and 41 minutes without conceding a try themselves.

Scores: Hurricanes 25 (Willis Halaholo, Beauden Barrett, Victor Vito tries; Barrett 2 pen, 2 con)
Chiefs 9 (Damian McKenzie 3 pen).

Half Time: Hurricanes 15-6 Chiefs.

Teams
Hurricanes
15 James Marshall , 14 Cory Jane , 13 Matt Proctor , 12 Willis Halaholo , 11 Jason Woodward , 10 Beauden Barrett , 9 TJ Perenara (c) , 8 Victor Vito (vc), 7 Ardie Savea , 6 Brad Shields , 5 Michael Fatialofa , 4 Vaea Fifita , 3 Ben May , 2 Ricky Riccitelli , 1 Loni Uhila

Replacements: Leni Apisai, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, Mark Abbott, Tony Lamborn , Jamison Gibson Park, Vince Aso, Julian Savea.

Chiefs
1. Kane Hames , 2. Nathan Harris , 3. Atu Moli , 4. Dominic Bird , 5. Brodie Retallick , 6. Taleni Seu , 7. Sam Cane (cc) , 8. Tom Sanders, 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 10. Aaron Cruden (cc) , 11. James Lowe, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown , 13. Seta Tamanivalu , 14. Sam McNicol, 15. Damian McKenzie

Replacements: 16. Hika Elliot , 17. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18. Mitchell Graham, 19. Lachlan Boshier, 20. Michael Leitch, 21. Brad Weber , 22. Toni Pulu , 23. Shaun Stevenson

In the second semifinal, Fiji born wing, Waisake Naholo scored a late try for the Highlanders but it was not enough as the Lions roared the loudest.

Elton Jantjies of Lions was also a point of difference as the playmaker scored a try and assisted in three others.

The Hurricanes will host the Lions at 7.35pm this Saturday in the Super Rugby Final.

Source: Stuff.co/NZ Herald