WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) The Hurricanes' transformation from loveable losers to Super Rugby champions provided a positive end to a mixed season when some perennial powers were on the wane and expansion teams were accommodated.
The Wellington-based Hurricanes beat the Johannesburg-based Lions 20-3 on Saturday from take their first Super Rugby title and deny the Lions the ultimate prize in their first final.
Flyhalf Beauden Barrett's 15 points, which included his ninth try of the season, and an impenetrable defense provided the foundation of the Hurricanes' win which was achieved in frigid conditions on their home ground.
The Hurricanes are principally known for their attacking flair, but achieved the unprecedented feat of keeping opponents tryless in their three playoff games, including the Lions who had scored 71 tries during the regular season.
Conditions prevented the match from becoming the spectacle that might have been expected of a contest between teams who have run the ball proficiently all season.
The Hurricanes have long been cast as admirable underachievers, winning plaudits for their expansive playing style but seemingly doomed never to win the title. They reached the final in 2006 and lost to the Crusaders and again last year when they had home advantage and were favorites, only to lose to the Highlanders.
The bitter experience of last year spurred the Hurricanes on Saturday, and offset the stage fright that often possesses teams in finals. The nerves were more evident among the Lions, who had not won a playoffs match until this season.
In winning, the Hurricanes ended 21 years of frustration for fans - 35,000 of whom packed the Wellington Regional Stadium on a night when wind chill dropped temperatures below zero - who have often seen them play strongly in the regular season only to stumble at a late hurdle.
Captain Dane Coles, who was one of the heroes of the final - playing 43 minutes with injured ribs then returning, in pain, when his replacement was in the blood-bin - said the win belonged to all the players who had worn the Hurricanes jersey since the team appeared in the first-ever Super Rugby match in 1996.
''You look back at guys like Conrad Smith, Norm Hewitt, all those ex-Hurricanes boys who have tried to win the trophy,'' Coles said. ''For me, that was a massive motivation.''
The Hurricanes scored a try in each half, both from Lions' errors. Cory Jane, who had an earlier try disallowed, scored in the 21st minute when Lions center Lionel Mapoe miscued on a rushed clearing kick and put the ball into the arms of the Hurricanes winger.
The final remained in the balance at 13-3 until the 68th minute when Barrett pounced on a ball which had been batted back over the Lions' goalline from a lineout.
''They took their opportunities,'' said Lions coach Johan Ackermann. ''It boils down to two incidents ... that's finals rugby.''
Lions captain Warren Whiteley, who also overcame injury to take his place in the final, said the Hurricanes coped best in extreme conditions.
''We didn't adapt as well as they did and they were smarter than us on the day,'' he said. ''They took their two opportunities (from) our mistakes and that's where the score comes from.''
Super Rugby organizers SANZAR might be breathing a sigh of relief that, after a season which exposed serious flaws in the tournament's structure, the two best teams reached the final and the top-ranked team won.
That won't allay concerns about a conference system that fans find confusing and which hands unearned advantages to weaker teams when playoffs spots are decided.
SANZAR officials say they may tweak the tournament format for next season, but are constrained from making major changes by existing agreements with broadcasters.
