Hurricanes

French club Clermont have signed Hurricanes prop Loni Uhila to a one-year deal.

Nicknamed the "Tongan Bear", the 27-year-old will leave New Zealand at the end of next year's Super Rugby season.

Uhila, whose smash-mouth hits and bulldozing runs were on show during the Hurricanes' run to a maiden title earlier this year, has an option to extend the deal by two further seasons,

He will bring his physicality to Clermont's front-row, and joins halfback Greig Laidlaw and winger Remy Grosso in signing with the Top 14 side ahead of next year.

The Johannesburg-based Lions, who lost to the Hurricanes in last season's final, also start on the road but their journey is considerably shorter as they face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein later on the same day.

Argentina's Jaguares will also be in South Africa on the opening weekend to play the Kings in Port Elizabeth, while the heavyweight Crusaders-ACT Brumbies and Stormers-Bulls clashes should also attract plenty of attention.

RNZ reports the Johannesburg-based Lions, who lost to the Hurricanes in last season's final, also start on the road but their journey is considerably shorter as they face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein later on the same day.

Argentina's Jaguares will also be in South Africa on the opening weekend to play the Kings in Port Elizabeth, while the heavyweight Crusaders-ACT Brumbies and Stormers-Bulls clashes should also attract plenty of attention.

RNZ reports the team won 20-3 over the Lions at Westpac Stadium at the weekend, the first time they had won the competition in 21 seasons.

The parade left Parliament at midday, where Prime Minister John Key turned out for a photo with the team.

Fans are lining the streets to see the players parade down Lambton Quay and Willis St, with victory speeches to be held when the parade ends at Civic Square.

The Hurricanes host the Johannesburg Lions at Wellington Stadium - the two teams finished one and two on the ladder after the regular season.

After last year's loss at the final hurdle, Shields said it was time to make new history.

"Obviously still not over it but look we've got another opportunity, another chance to do our club proud and hopefully get that first win."

For long-time fans, such as Avril Ringrose of Plimmerton, a win in the final would be the perfect end to a season in which the Hurricanes weren't expected to match last year's efforts - especially after losing legends like Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

Loni Uhila, Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea of the Hurricanes celebrate beating the Chiefs in the Super Rugby semifinal at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

"I definitely think they'll win it this time. They have to, as they're the only New Zealand team not to have won it."

Hurricanes first five Barrett was at his mercurial best as he set up the opening try.

After regathering his own chip-kick, the All Black ran cross-field around the defence, before off-loading on the 5m line to the try-scorer, Willis Halaholo.

RNZ reports Coles, who came off in the his side's quarter final win over the Sharks last weekend with a rib injury has been bracketed in the starting lineup with Ricky Riccitelli

He took little part in the Hurricanes training today and avoided any contact work.

Coles has been bracketed with Ricky Riccitelli in an otherwise unchanged Hurricanes starting lineup which means All Black winger Julian Savea remains in the reserves, with Jason Woodward again starting on the left wing.

Dane Coles injured a rib in the Hurricanes 41-nil win over the Sharks, while Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane took a knock to the head in their 60 points to 21 win over the Stormers.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd isn't confident about Coles' chances of playing.

"He's got a rib injury and is in a lot of pain so the doctor will do whatever he can and we should know more in the next 24 hours, but it doesn't look good."

However Boyd feels good about the cover they have at hooker.

The hosts overcame one of the tightest defences in the competition despite appallingly wet conditions in the New Zealand capital, condemning the Sharks to the ignominy of being the first side to be held scoreless in a Super Rugby playoff.

Tries from prop Loni Uhila and fullback James Marshall in four minutes of the first half put the visitors well on the back foot and winger Jason Woodward and lock Vaea Fifita crossed inside two minutes of the second to seal the win.