A history of all-Kiwi Super Rugby finals

It has been nine years since two Kiwi sides have met in the Super Rugby final, but that streak will be snapped next Saturday night when the Hurricanes host the Highlanders.

Two New Zealand sides have faced off in the finale four times in Super Rugby history, while there has twice been an all-South African final (2007 and 2010). There has never been an All-Australian clash in a Super Rugby final.

Here are the four prior occasions in which two Kiwi teams have met in the ultimate decider.

2006: Crusaders 19 Hurricanes 12

The infamous fog final doubles as the last time the Hurricanes made it to this stage of the competition. Much like this year's competition, the two sides were the best teams throughout the regular season, with the Crusaders beating the Bulls to make the final while the Hurricanes edged past the Waratahs.

In awful conditions for rugby, with visibility stopping free-flowing play, the only try of the match was scored by Casey Laulala. The conditions were so bad it created this exchange between SKY commentators Tony Johnson and Grant Nisbett.

I haven't got a clue, Tony, you're dead right. I cannot see the other side of the field." - Grant Nisbett

Only Ma'a Nonu remains from the Hurricanes team who played in this encounter, and you can be sure he'll be hoping to avoid a repeat of that night this weekend.

2003: Blues 21 Crusaders 17

In arguably the best group of players to ever take part in a Super Rugby final (The 2000 final between the Crusaders v Brumbies could have a case), two superb sides faced off in a quality finale.

The Crusaders were the team to beat after going through the season unbeaten in 2002, but the Blues were the cream of the crop, posting the best points differential of all time on their way to a storming regular season.

With both sides chocked full of All Blacks, the vaunted Blues backline did just enough to topple a notable Crusaders forward pack, with the Blues having the boot of Carlos Spencer to thank for the win - the first five hitting three penalties to overcome a three tries to two advantage for the Crusaders.

1999: Crusaders 24 Highlanders 19

The last and only time the Highlanders appeared in a Super Rugby final was 16 years ago, and they gave the defending champion Crusaders a big run for their money.

The Highlanders hosted the final after both teams won on the road to make it - the Highlanders beating the Stormers 33-18, while the Crusaders got by the Reds 28-22.

The hosts were ahead at halftime, 14-9, thanks to tries to Brian Lima and Isitolo Maka. However, the Crusaders ratcheted up the pressure in the second spell, with Afato So'oalo and Daryl Gibson crossing to make it two straight titles for the Crusaders, and cause the beginning a 16-year draught for the Highlanders.

1998: Crusaders 20 Blues 13

Unsurprisingly, the Crusaders appeared in all of the four prior All-Kiwi Super Rugby finals, and were victors in the first ever all-New Zealand finale back in 1998.

The Blues had looked the stronger side during the regular season, finishing atop the ladder with nine wins and the best points differential, while the Crusaders came in close behind with eight wins and the second highest points differential.

Additionally, the Blues had already beaten the Crusaders - in Christchurch no less - taking them down 31-24 in Round Five.

Both sides were given a tough contest in their respective semifinal, with the Blues beating the Highlanders 37-31 while the Crusaders were also involved in a high-scoring contest, edging the Sharks 36-32.

A close contest throughout, the game was sealed by a speculative Andrew Mehrtens' chip kick in the final minutes. An unfortunate bounce for the Blues saw James Kerr able to dive over for the Crusaders with the winning try, claiming the first of many titles for the men from Canterbury.

All of these finals were decided by seven points or less - we could have another grippingly close encounter on our hands come Saturday.