The Hurricanes have put in one of the most extraordinary Super Rugby grand final performances of all time in demolishing the Chiefs 60-5 in Wellington tonight.
On an evening during which the Chiefs were attempting a healing process after losing three consecutive grand finals, the Hurricanes ripped the scab off in the most brutal of ways. Make it four failures in a row now for the Chiefs.
The Hurricanes, playing with an ambition and skill which appeared incongruous given what was at stake, not to mention the gale-force northerly, scored nine tries in total and allowed the Chiefs only one – a consolation for Naitoa Ah Kuoi.
The celebrations had started even before the match entered the fourth quarter.
For the Hurricanes it was their second championship win after their first a decade ago. For the Chiefs it was a humiliation after they dished out their own version to the Crusaders in last weekend’s semifinal in Hamilton.
It is difficult to single out the best performing Hurricanes because to a man they were outstanding, but hooker Asafo Aumua, flanker Peter Lakai and lock Warner Dearns deserve a mention as do the entire home backline, especially second-five Jordie Barrett and their back three of Fehi Fineanganofo, Callum Harkin and Josh Moorby.
Records were shattered and visiting hearts were broken in front a full and lively stadium.
Fineanganofo scored two tries to take his season tally to 17 – a competition record - and then wing teammate Josh Moorby joined him on the same number.
The halftime score of 29-0 was the highest in a final – surpassing the 27-0 lead by the Bulls against the Chiefs in 2009.
And some of the tries were sensational. Few were better than Ruben Love’s second following a scorching run by Lakai and finished in acrobatic fashion by the No.10.
Starting with the wind behind them, the Hurricanes kicked only sparingly and surprisingly went to width early – a brave and clever tactic which worked almost to perfection.
The No.1 seeds were clearly the best team in the competition and the best coached too; the way they played reflected extremely well on their mentor Clark Laidlaw.
The start was emphatic and set the scene for what was to follow. Moorby was over from a wide pass from Roigard, a try quickly followed by Love from a Barrett grubber kick.
Fineanganofo was next from a Harkin assist and so it continued, with Love kicking a penalty from halfway on the stroke of halftime.
There was no change after the break, despite the wind favouring the Chiefs. Harkin, Devan Flanders, Jordie Barrett and Jone Rova crossed the line, the Chiefs chasing shadows from start to finish.
So, joy for the Hurricanes and misery for the Chiefs, but there may be other consequences.
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie, interviewed before kick-off, will announce his 34-man squad for next month’s Tests on Monday and there will be plenty for him to think about after this 80-minute demolition.
There can be little doubt that Love will be his first-choice No.10 for his excellence throughout the season, and tonight (which included a 25-point haul), and rival Damian McKenzie’s poor performance at the Cake Tin.
McKenzie’s mistakes mounted by the minute. A poor kick was followed by a dropped ball, a failure to find touch from a penalty and twice kicking the ball dead from re-starts.
The first time he kicked a short re-start the Chiefs got the ball back. The next time was too short and resulted in a Hurricanes’ scrum.
There was another drop after the break too on his own line which led to Barrett’s try.
A difficult night for McKenzie and a shocking one for his team.
All credit to the Hurricanes, though, who deserve the plaudits and the last word.
"It's huge," skipper Du'Plessis Kirifi said as he accepted his winners' medal. "We've been building for a few years now."
Hurricanes 60 (Josh Moorby 2, Ruben Love 2, Fehi Fineanganofo, Callum Harkin, Devan Flanders, Jordie Barrett, Jone Rova tries; Love 6 cons, pen)
Chiefs 5 (Naitoa Ah Kuoi try)
Halftime: 29-0
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