First Take: Wait continues for tortured franchise

A tortured franchise continues to wait.

The Hurricanes are the only New Zealand side who have never won Super Rugby and that wait will extend another season.

It looked as though things had fallen in to place in 2015 with the right mix of veteran players and young talent bursting through but, ultimately, they fell at the final hurdle.

You can't ask for anything more than qualifying top and having home advantage throughout the playoffs but the Highlanders simply brought more to the party as they claimed a 21-14 victory in Wellington tonight.

Defence was the cornerstone in the early phases of the Hurricanes' season but in the decider they met a team who defended better.

The Highlanders put up a brick wall and the Hurricanes found few ways through.

In 20 years of Super Rugby, the Hurricanes have played in two finals for no joy. Calling this loss a choke would seem harsh but after finishing the campaign with a 14-2 record they were favourites heading in to the showpiece game.

The Crusaders and the fog got the better of them in 2006 and this match was meant to be the perfect send-off for some of the Hurricanes' most iconic players.

Names like Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu and Jeremy Thrush are etched in the fabric of the side and winning a title in their final match before heading offshore was the stuff that dreams were made of.

The battle cry went out from the local fans as the hour-mark approached with chants of "Jerry, Jerry" delivered to inspire the troops in memory of the late Jerry Collins, the former Hurricanes flanker who passed away in a car accident in France recently.

The Hurricanes had the initials 'JC' embroided on to their sleeves and Collins has served as a point of motivation for the side in the back end of the competition.

The Highlanders brought levels of enthusiasm to the contest that the Hurricanes couldn't match and it was a former Hurricane - Marty Banks - who kicked a late drop goal, which proved the dagger.

Highlanders flanker Elliot Dixon, another man who must have been unlucky not to hear his name called in the All Blacks squad recently, was immense for the visitors and the way he carried the ball like a raging bull was something to behold.

Nothing seemed on late in the first spell when he caught a pass near the line but the big No 6 put his head down, barged through four defenders and managed to force the ball for a controversial try.

The TMO needed multiple looks but eventually the green light was given and it helped the Highlanders take a crucial lead to the break.

That try will be debated by Hurricanes fans for years to come and a fanbase that has been through so much heartache will continue to wait for a maiden title.