The Lions have at least partially vindicated their decision to rest a host of players in the final round of the Super Rugby season with a first-up finals win over the Crusaders, 42-25.
» Click here for the full match report
Final score
Lions 42
Crusaders 25
This early Sunday morning game sees the Lions hosting the Crusaders from Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg. Join The Roar from 12:30am (AEST) for all the live action of the third quarter-final.
Both sides bring contrasting form into this playoff match.
The Crusaders have endured a tough run into this playoff, earmarked by losses to the Chiefs and Hurricanes, while the Lions have had a more pedestrian run in contrast.
The big story last week was the loss to the Jaguares in the last round after the decision by the coaching staff to rest fifteen players for the match. They’ll be fresh, while the Crusaders are travelling weary.
The Lions have been the form side out of the South African sides playing some enterprising rugby along the way and will look to continue their attacking style tonight.
Their in-form halves pairing of Faf du Plessis and Elton Jantjes have been in sparkling touch and tonight they welcome the return of their inspirational Captain Warren Whiteley from injury which is sure to be a huge boost to the side.
The Crusaders have been embroiled in a tight race within the New Zealand conference throughout the season, favourites one week, forgotten the next.
They will be motivated tonight after last week’s poor performance at home by their standards and while losing Nemani Nadolo to injury, welcome back Sam Whitelock to the second row and Andy Ellis at halfback.
Ellis shapes as a pivotal figure for the Crusaders. His experience will be welcomed back into the fold, particularly up against the Lions in-form halves pairing.
The battle up front will be key, as is usually the case, and a lot will rest on the respective tight fives. This is certainly an area the Crusaders will look to gain the ascendancy with an All Black quality tight five up against a strong Lions pack, themselves boasting some Springboks.
While in the loose, two high-quality trios go head-to-head, again of international quality and the two respective captains at eight in Warren Whiteley and Kieran Read will be a match-up to look out for.
The breakdown will be a key area as well tonight, dominance here will prove decisive. If the Lions gain the upper hand here, it will allow them to play their expansive game.
Easy go forward will stretch a Crusaders side who have shown this season they do not like chasing in a match while conversely, if the Crusaders can take the momentum out of the game, the Lions may struggle to gain momentum elsewhere and allow the Crusaders to strangle the game.
Two players to look out for tonight will be Israel Dagg, the Crusaders fullback and Ruan Combrinck, the powerful Lions winger.
Both players have been in outstanding form this season and could be the key difference for their respective sides this evening.
Join me here on The Roar as we cover what promises to be a cracking match between these two sides and do not forget to post your comments below as the match unfolds.
Tip: Crusaders by 6.
Crusaders rarely put two poor performances together and will be highly motivated after being embarrassed at home last week. I also feel the Lions resting so many players last week will prove detrimental to their cause.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
I haven't asked the person not to post, simply not to use my name! Hardly 'anonymous' on my part.
puff
Guest
Surprise, surprise, Agree, Todd lived on riches for his entire tenure at the Crusader’s, the team was embarrassed as their player list bulged with superlatives. Yet no silver ware. After expecting big things from them in the last two weeks, I felt the team had lost their crispness, the brightness and sparkle was not always apparent. Had they pecked too soon or had the immense pressure and stress playing in a very demanding NZ comp, diminished mental aptitude. Whatever the problem, the Lions were the business and it’s time for Todd to depart. With all that talent at his fingertips, he may be regarded as a disappointment. The Highlanders will have to display all their alertness, speed and agility to again deliver a NZ repeat final. Playing in SA is no simple undertaking, although, I do enjoy visiting the Deep South, good Luck.
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
Yes, yes. He should immediately conform to the dictates of an anonymous forum poster who doesn't like his posts. You could, of course, just not read his posts, but I guess you prefer to demand that others submit to your wishes.
taylorman
Roar Guru
And it may have backfired if he went. He could have had key injuries and he could have had a tired side and lost to the Sharks. In hindsight probably not but should he lose the final to 'pin' it on the earlier decision is just silly. You don't plan for the final when you haven't even won the quarter. Anyway, Chiefs could still knock the Canes off but Im picking a Canes Lions final.
Lara
Guest
Good result for the Lions. Always a tough ask for the Saders. To TB , all the best and hope a bit more luck goes your way.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The decision to rest the players against the Jags may well backfire. A win would have guaranteed the Lions of a home final (if they get there). Now, if the 'Canes win, the Lions have to travel.
taylorman
Roar Guru
He he, mustn't know your side is the Stormers Harry. Next year maybe, and hopefully at this point the Blues will finally be in the conversation!?
taylorman
Roar Guru
No I agree with you but it's similar to the Highlanders hoping the Chiefs will beat the canes so they get a home game. It's not something they can control, so why bother. Ackermans decision was about preparing his own side...he didn't care about anything outside that consideration, but obviously hoped for a win vs the Jaguares. But that was clearly secondary to the importance of preparing his side. The result reflects the confidence of any good championship winning coach...prepare your own side the best way possible and the rest will take care of itself.
Harry Jones
Expert
Just a bit of tongue in cheek, mate. Lions are the only good team, really.
PeterK
Roar Guru
lions are easily the best team in SA not second best
PeterK
Roar Guru
if they did not gamble against jags they would have finished 1st and played the sharks in the qf not the crusaders
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
FROM MY COMMENT YESTERDAY RE YOUR GO AT STEVE LARKHAM: Kashmir Pete said | July 23rd 2016 @ 11:13am | ! Report Mate I changed my Roar Name (from same as your’s) a while back, as your contributions are always negative and often spiteful. Could you please change your’s as well, from Peter Robinson to something else as every time I read your posts, I cringe at my name. Sincerely KP Reply
Kuruki
Roar Guru
The Highlanders have to travel from South Africa to NZ regardless who wins. The Lions can either travel to NZ or stay at home, if you don't think they care about the results which will determine that then your dreaming.
taylorman
Roar Guru
yes, about as much as the Highlanders will be praying for and cheering for the Chiefs to beat the Canes. Don't even think they'll bother.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I can guarantee they will all be cheering for the Chiefs because nobody wants to travel to play a final when you have the opportunity to play at home.
taylorman
Roar Guru
No they won't, they'll be backing themselves to beat whoever they play next. Confident sides don't need to prey for who beat who's. Will the canes be praying for someone to lose to someone? The Chiefs? Landers? Or is preying and hoping to play certain teams only reserved for non NZ sides? There is far more supporting Ackermans decision now than ever. They turned up ready, well prepared and comfortably beat the Crusaders in the end. The result had an air of inevitability throughout the match. The side is confident and won't care who they play, or where. They will focus on what they have to do and that's all. They can't influence the Canes Chiefs match so why waste the energy of even a prayer on it?
Kuruki
Roar Guru
The trophy is lifted after the final not the quarters. They will be praying for a Chiefs win over the Hurricanes.
Peter Robinson
Roar Rookie
Goodbye Todd Blackadder, don't let the door hit your behind on the way out. Most over-rated and underachieving coach in Super Rugby history. Sure you got close a couple of times but with the talent you had at your disposal you should have racked up multiple titles with ease. For goodness sake you had basically the entire All Black pack at its peak during your entire tenure, plus a host of All Blacks in the backline including the best number 10 to ever pull on the jersey. And you have nothing to show for it, any other decent coach would have had 3-4 titles, minimum. Your tenure will be remembered for playing the two best All Blacks ever, out of position, to accommodate inferior players and the team's consistent choking in big games. You have no excuses, you had the best roster by a country mile for most of your reign. Goodbye, I won't miss you, and nor will the Crusaders.
ForceFan
Guest
Well done Lions. Impressive win.
Digby
Roar Guru
Thank you Marius, commiserations mate.