The Hurricanes and the Lions both turned up for the Super Rugby final, and the New Zealanders had to work for their success. The Lions forward pack brought it to the table, and I just think some experience, call it sleight of hand, by some of the older boys in the Hurricanes side made the difference.Cory Jane missing out on the first try but making no mistake with his perseverance to claim the second was one example, but above all else it was the forwards who came through.I thought the telling moment came when the Hurricanes were back on their own line but turned the tails on the Lions scrum; they just grew in confidence from that. It was an important moment in the game.And the Hurricanes defence was immense, and the key point of difference between the sides on the night. The effort they put in was typified to me by Brad Shields, who was outstanding. He had a huge game. Some of the big hits he was putting in, and then just getting up and making double tackles, saw him really leading the charge. He put his hand up and said, Dont forget about me to the All Blacks selectors.The Hurricanes have adopted that rush style defence, and perfected it; you just dont have any time and space when that defence is in your face, and the Hurricanes shut down all the Lions time and space and suffocated them. It says everything about how well the Hurricanes have applied the system that no-one managed to score a try against them in their three play-off games.Defence of that quality comes from trust; trust in the guys inside you and outside. It typifies Team. In a team you can get individual brilliance that creates things, and you can score tries from having big, powerful runners; but people are going to score against you if you havent got the defence that requires 100 percent team buy-in.Its successful implementation showed that Chris Boyd and John Plumtree have really got the mix right, and the team are playing for each other. And it was great to see the stories like Victor Vito signing off and Dane Coles going through and showing his courageous effort; it was everybody putting their bodies on the line. They are deserved winners, and it was a really good night of rugby in spite of the conditions.I do think the travel factor reared its head for the Lions. The final proved one game too much for them, but looking at it purely from the New Zealand side of things I think the Hurricanes have grown and learned from all the shortfalls they have had in recent times, especially from the 2015 final loss at home to the Highlanders.In the process they have some players who have reached a new level, and I think the All Blacks can take a lot out of that. The Hurricanes defensive style, also, is something the All Blacks will have to look at. It is high-risk, high-reward sort of stuff but if you can perfect it and get it right -- which the Hurricanes did -- you succeed.However, if you dont get it right and you dont fly up as a team you create gaps and they get through. You have to have 100 percent trust to be able to do that.The All Blacks will be looking at that, and they will be looking also at certain players in that Lions side and expecting them to feature in the Rugby Championship. Both New Zealand and South Africa will take a lot out of the game.You have to tip your hat to the way the Lions have played this year; its great to see, and they are in good stead if they keep building on Johan Ackermanns approach to the game and his outlook. They are at a position much like where the Hurricanes were 12 months ago, and look where they the New Zealanders are now.Will the rest of South Africa follow suit?Thats the big question.If South Africa are to play Elton Jantjies at five-eighth, they need to adopt the Lions style of play with the speed of their half-back, Faf de Klerk. They dont have five-eighths Patrick Lambie or Handre Pollard to call on at the moment, while Morne Steyn is the only other specialist fly-half named in the squad. So it might be expecting too much to think the Springboks will move far from their traditional game in the Rugby Championship.The All Blacks can look at some of the form players from the Hurricanes side, and the selection for the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup opener against Australia in Sydney will be very interesting.It is hard to see how anyone other than Beauden Barrett can start wearing No. 10; youd put money on that. Hes stepped up to a whole new level and would add real flair. It will be interesting to see if Dane Coles has knocked himself back a bit with his rib heroics a week or so before All Blacks selection. The attitude of the coaches was interesting. Boyd and Plumtree got the result they desired with Coles starting the game while the All Blacks might not have been so happy.But if you dont play in those circumstances, or dont leave it all on the field in a final, what are you saving yourself for? Youre always just one injury from spending a lot of time on the sideline so you go out there and play with the same mentality. You dont get many opportunities at finals rugby, and some guys never get a crack at it at Super Rugby level and Saturday will be a moment that those guys involved will never forget in their careers.Now that its all over we can talk about the effect of the new schedule and I have to say that it didnt create the interest throughout, especially during the middle part of the season. There wasnt quite the same desperation of looking at the points table and working out who you needed to beat, and what you needed to do, to qualify for the playoffs.When everyone plays everyone, you have rightfully got everyone who should be there at the end. It needs to change. Wholesale Custom Soccer Jerseys . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. 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According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington.England interim manager Gareth Southgate insists Wayne Rooneys absence against Spain was due to a knee injury. Southgate was reacting after The Sun newspaper alleged that the England captain appeared to have been drinking heavily during a night out over the weekend.The 31-year-old started Englands World Cup qualifying win against Scotland on Friday, but a minor knee injury saw him withdraw from the squad to face Spain on Monday evening. Englands interim manager Gareth Southgate (left) talks with Rooney Rooney missed the 2-2 friendly draw at Wembley as a result, but he was still brought up in the post-match press conference.The Sun alleged that Rooney dropped in on a wedding party over the weekend and the paper printed a photo appearing to show the Manchester United forward, sporting an England training top, looking the worse for wear.The Football Association could look into the incident but Southgate insists his absence from Tuesdays match was down to a knock. Man Utd vs Arsenal November 19, 2016, 11:30am Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass When asked if Rooneys absence was in any way connected to what emerged from the hotel on Saturday nighht, Southgate said in his post-match press conference: Wayne was injured.dddddddddddd He picked up an injury on Friday, couldnt train Sunday and thats it.Rooney has endured a tough campaign, finding himself in the unusual situation of fighting for his place in the team. Englands interim manager Gareth Southgate (left) talks with Rooney The 31-year-old ended his goal drought in the recent Europa League clash at Fenerbahce and impressed as Manchester United headed into the international break with a 3-1 win at Swansea.Rooney dropped to the bench in last months qualifier in Slovenia and returned to the starting line-up as Scotland were beaten 3-0 at Wembley. Southgate revealed on the eve of the game that he was not intending to start the forward against Spain, regardless of fitness.I wouldnt start Wayne in this game anyway, so well decide which route to go, he said in the pre-match press conference.At times too much of that responsibility has laid with Wayne and we need to share that. There are leaders already and other potential leaders who I think can step forward.And once you have a team full of those players then well have a lot of success.Rooney will now be assessed by Manchester Uniteds medical staff ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: Spain fightback stuns England Le Saux to join England panel Southgate: Ive fulfilled remit Dier accuses Herrera ' ' '