A HEREFORD coach helped a New Zealand rugby team defy the odds and win the Super Rugby Cup for the first time.

Andy Watts is the head of performance analysis at the Highlanders, a franchise based in Dunedin.

The team, whom Watts has been involved with since last year, overcame hot-favourites the Hurricanes in a gripping final.

"My father Gareth booked his flights the day after we won the semi-final, so that he could be here to watch the final, so for me to have him here to see us win the Super Rugby Championship was so very special, it was a day we will never forget," said Watts.

"My close mates, Chris Bentley, Matt Wells and Ed Wells always keep messages going between all of us throughout every game we play, so it’s always good to read their commentary of how the game was going.

"Hopefully they manage to save up enough money to come over when we play the British & Irish Lions in 2017."

Watts said that more than 2,000 supporters greeted the team at Dunedin Airport before over 10,000 packed the streets of Dunedin to see the team parade the trophy on Monday.

"It is a privilege to be involved in such a special team with a very special brotherhood, and to have the best supporters in the world," added Watts.

Watts was born in Hereford and studied at Aylestone High School and Hereford Sixth Form College, where his performance analysis studied began.

He then moved to Cardiff where he completed a Sport and Exercise Science degree before going on to work for Cardiff Blues.

Watts stayed there for over seven seasons before being offered a job at the Highlanders.

His wife was born in New Zealand, so the couple decided it was a too good opportunity to turn down and emigrated with their children Seren, seven, and Petra, four.

Watts' first season saw the Highlanders reach the qualifying finals for the first time since 2002 before losing to the Sharks.

The Highlanders again reached the qualifying finals this season and beat the Chiefs 24-14 and defending champions the Waratahs in the semi-finals.

But the Hurricanes, seeded number one, were hotly tipped to win Saturday's final in Wellington having won 15 of their 17 games.

But an impeccable defence saw the Highlanders home 21-14, which included a sensation try from Elliot Dixon.

Dixon also set up Waisake Naholo to go over, with Liam Sopaga kicking over a conversion and a penalty and Marty Banks a drop goal.

Despite converting three penalties, Beauden Barrett had a bad day at the office for the Hurricanes after missing three kicks in the first half.