Dream final too close to call

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 27: Patrick Osborne (C) of the Highlanders celebrates with Richard Buckman (L) and Aaron Smith (R) after scoring the final try during the Super Rugby Semi Final match between

Evenly matched Highlanders versus Hurricanes contest will come down to a couple of key moments.

What a couple of contrasting Super Rugby semifinals. The first one in Wellington, won comprehensively by the Hurricanes over the Brumbies, was always going to be difficult for the away team given the travel they had done to get there.

They are used to playoff challenges, but really they didn't fire a shot. Clearly they missed suspended wing Henry Speight - he ignited their backline and at the Cake Tin they lacked a lot of punch there.

The overwhelming point to take out of the game for me was that apart from the fact that they can drive a lineout, they didn't threaten a very good defence.

The Hurricanes had another gear in them but they didn't need to use it. They were in control of the game and it was only a matter of when, rather than if, they scored tries.

I don't want to be negative about it, but it was a run-of-the-mill semifinal for them, which is a credit to how the Hurricanes are playing this season, I guess.

The second semifinal had a lot more drama - I was fixated because it was a really high-tempo match. The Highlanders really took it to the Waratahs from the first minute and the home side couldn't match that intensity. We had drama, pushing and shoving, significant referee decisions and lots of energy. It was a quality semifinal, and, to be honest, the better team won, it's as simple as that.

Many will debate one of the tries - the penalty try - but it was just one in what was a 35-17 thrashing, really. There was maturity from the Highlanders - with the likes of Lima Sopoaga taking a drop kick at a pivotal time to really put on the pressure. They also took their opportunities defensively - they shut the Waratahs out of the breakdown. They were just really impressive.

Their kicking game was different, and here they have to be a bit careful. Aaron Smith and Sopoaga kicked away ball that previously they would have used. They weren't positive kicks either, they were speculative, but what made them good was the fact the Waratahs couldn't win their lineout ball. It became an ingenious part of their game plan, but on balance I don't think they should kick good ball away.

I'm pleased the Highlanders won and I picked them all week. A lot of people didn't and that surprised me. There was a bit of media spin during the week from Waratahs coach Michael Cheika saying the Highlanders were favourites and he was right. They look like they can beat anyone, whereas the Waratahs lost to the Force and Rebels. They didn't deserve to be in the final.

I think we've got the dream final. The Chiefs and Crusaders were too inconsistent and the Blues never threatened. The Stormers never had an overall game to push for the final and no other Australian or South African team deserved to be there.

We've got the two best teams going head to head and you wouldn't put your house on the winner because it will come down to a couple of key moments. They are evenly matched.