The Christchurch-based Crusaders rallied from 22-13 down to beat the Dunedin-based Highlanders 32-22 on Sunday, clinching the inaugural and probably unique Super Rugby Aotearoa title with one round remaining. The Crusaders won the full, five-nation Super Rugby tournament in each of the last three years but were denied a fourth-straight title _ their 11th overall _ when the coronavirus pandemic brought the competition to an end in March. Super Rugby Aotearoa, involved New Zealand's five teams meeting home and away in a tight, 10-week format, was created to replace the abandoned tournament and has been played in front of large crowds, including the capacity 20,000 that watched the Crusaders clinch the title at home on Sunday. New Zealand Rugby hopes to establish a new Super Rugby tournament next year involving Australian and Pacific teams, making Super Rugby Aotearoa a one-off. For a long time on Sunday, the Highlanders looked like denying the Crusaders the title at least for another week.

Source: The Standard August 09, 2020 06:22 UTC