Riley Higgins and Du Plessis Kirifi of Wellington celebrate during NPC final between Wellington and Bay of Plenty at Sky Stadium. Photo: Getty Images By Jonty Dine of RNZ The heart of New Zealand rugby is well and truly beating. After an enthralling, exhausting 100-minute final, the Wellington Lions have been crowned NPC champions after beating Bay of Plenty 23-20.
Unable to be separated after regulation time, replacement Callum Harkin kicked the winning points to bring the curtain down on a pulsating final, and cap a stellar provincial season. Julian Savea rolled back the years with a blockbusting display on the wing, 'the Bus' bagging a brace in vintage style. He told Sky Sport it "means the world" to give back to the people of Wellington and bring another title to the capital.
"I just feel sorry for the big boys. It was so intense, as a final should be." Savea tipped his hat to the Steamers, who were more than up for the contest.
"They brought it to us today and it could have gone wither way today." Meanwhile, the wait goes on for Bay of Plenty, who were hunting their first title since 1976. Lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi admitted it was a painful loss.
"That hurt so much, they are a good side and it shows, at the end of the day that's footy." Savea struck first for the hosts in the left corner, taking a precision pop pass from Kyle Preston and powering in for the opening points. The Steamers appeared to have replied through winger Leroy Carter as he exploded over from the base of th.
