Savea a 'special' star

The Hurricanes snatched a 26-20 victory over the Highlanders with a Julian Savea try sealing the outcome in the dying minutes of their Super Rugby clash on Saturday.

The Hurricanes came from behind, as Savea scored a blistering match-winning try in a hard fought match – bursting through in broken play to score with just five minutes left on the clock.

Trailing by a solitary point after Highlanders replacement flyhalf Mike Delany had put the home side back ahead with a penalty, the Hurricanes ran back a general kick in play and inside centre Tim Bateman turned a short pass back inside to Savea.

Using his power and pace, Savea beat four tacklers on his way to the line.

“I think that constructively that’s some of the best footy we’ve played,” said captain Conrad Smith.

“We still made mistakes, but it’s a great step up,” Smith, who singled out Savea as a “special” player, added.

“We kept saying to him [Savea] just hang in there, the ball wasn’t coming his way.

“But when you show a bit of maturity you can stick at it and wait and when your chance comes he scores tries and that’s what we love about him.”