The Highlanders had made the long return trip from Cape Town where they had shocked the Stormers 33-18 in the semifinal. Dunedin was in the midst of rugby fever when they arrived back in the city.
Lock Brendon Timmins: We didn't start training until Tuesday or Wednesday and it was very, very light. Obviously, there was huge excitement. There was a real swell of support throughout the whole season. Everyone was fizzing to get on board and have a good win.
Lock John Blaikie: A few things had to go against us for us not to host a home semi and they did. That was a challenge mentally and trying to get up on top of the travel was tough.
Whilst we managed as best we could around the jet-lag, it did have a bit of an effect. Our training week was fairly light and, if I remember rightly, we just ran out of steam in the final.
But it was a fantastic occasion. The week in Dunedin was awesome. The public got right in behind us.
Prop Kees Meeuws: The hype around town was huge. Everyone was so proud of us winning away and it was just a fantastic time - similar to what it is at the moment with the public getting behind the team. It was an unbelievable feeling running out and seeing all those flags on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The crowd just erupted and we were ready to play finals football. You just can't beat that feeling.''
Crusaders' fans flocked south to support their team and were rewarded with a 24-19 win. Speedy winger Afata So'oialo helped clinch the victory with a piece of individual brilliance. He went around his marker and then chipped over the goal-line and won the race to the ball.
Timmins: My memory is we got into a bit of a kicking duel. We went nowhere and were running quite a bit. Then obviously the So'oialo try gave them the impetus. But even before the kick-off, we had almost got hijacked by the Canterbury crowd ... they should have blown the [Waitaki River] bridge up.''
Blaikie: That is one thing I do remember was that Afata So'oialo try. He was pretty nippy and beating Canterbury was always a bit of a struggle.
''There was definitely a feeling we had given it everything. The result didn't go our way and we were naturally disappointed. But after a few days, when we had had a chance to reflect, there was a feeling we had a good season.''
Meeuws: It was one of those games that you knew it would take just one mistake and that could cost the game.
''That try that Afata scored was the game-breaker. It was very disappointing that we lost but it was a fantastic game to play.''
On Saturday the Highlanders have an opportunity to spoil the party for the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium. But can they?
Timmins: The last two games have shown how much belief the Highlanders have. That kind of team environment gives you points before you even start. The coaching staff have done a fantastic job at just thinking outside the square with some of their attacking options. They are also building up a defensive pattern that is nullifying bigger forward packs, as we saw on the weekend.
Blaikie: I think they are peaking at the right time. I think tactically the players and the coaches are getting it right. And they look fit as well. It is going to be a big ask but we've got plenty of strike power out wide. So have they, to be honest.
Meeuws: I think they can win. They just have to carry on doing exactly what they did in the weekend and not get caught up in who they are playing.
