Super Rugby Final
Highlanders buoyed by passionate support
July 3, 2015
Super Rugby Grand Final preview

The Highlanders headed to Wellington for their first Super Rugby final appearance since 1999 fuelled by the support of their success-starved fans.

The team has been the talk of Dunedin and the southern surrounds in their run to the decider against the Hurricanes on Saturday, when both teams will seek to clinch a maiden title.

The Highlanders played a significant number of their home matches early in the season, meaning Dunedin supporters weren't able to showcase their pride until the 24-14 win over the Chiefs in the qualifying final in front of a sold-out crowd two weeks ago. It was a fact not lost on co-captain Ben Smith, who has been named in unchanged starting line-up from the team that beat the Waratahs in Sydney.

"You just have to go into town and see all the flags are up and people are really looking forward to the weekend," Smith said.

"We hear you, we definitely see all the flags and see all the support. We just really want to get up there this weekend and not only do it for ourselves but for the fans that have been there throughout the season."

The Highlanders have a special relationship with their success-starved fans © Getty Images
Enlarge

Smith said the Super Rugby showpiece was "right up there" when asked where it rated in his rugby career.

The Highlanders will create some history regardless of the result.

Five-eighth Lima Sopoaga is the competition's leading points-scorer with 183, and he won't be surpassed, while Waisake Naholo leads the try-scoring list with 12, one in front of Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara; no Highlanders player has topped either season list in their 20-year existence.

Naholo says his personal game plan was simple: to get involved and get hungry.

"I think just come in and be clear on what my roles are - looking for work and looking to get involved - and try and stop 'The Bus' [Hurricanes counterpart Julian Savea]."

The Fiji-born wing said he had also been inspired by numerous messages of support from his homeland and further abroad, including from Fijian soldiers in Iraq.

"It gets me excited, and gets me up for the weekend."

© AAP

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.