The Lions have put up a comprehensive second half display, running on five tries to one, turning a 12-point halftime deficit into a 15-point victory to book their place in the Super Rugby grand final against the Crusaders next week.
Final score
Lions 44
Hurricanes 29
The second semi-final of the Super Rugby season is upon us with the Hurricanes travelling to South Africa to take on the competitions top qualifier, the Lions in Johannesburg. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10:30pm (AEST).
The Hurricanes earned their spot in this fixture after managing to overcome a spirited Brumbies side in Canberra. The Lions, meanwhile were made to fight hard to subdue the challenge from local rivals the Sharks, a match-winning penalty goal from star winger Ruan Combrinck getting the Lions home at the same venue last weekend.
Interestingly, many pundits are picking the Hurricanes to win this match despite the Lions playing at home and knowing how good this side can be.
Both sides have named very strong line ups tonight, the Hurricanes in particular welcoming back Captain Dane Coles to the starting XV and Vince Aso back into midfield from injury. That pushes Jordie Barrett to fullback and Nehe Milner Skudder to the right wing while Wes Goosen swaps to the left wing, pushing All Black Julian Savea to the bench and Cory Jane dropped from the 23 altogether.
Both sides boast attacking threat, power and speed across the park so assuming the conditions play their part, we should see a fast and open affair.
Coles return, while a boost for the Hurricanes, will certainly not be a simple one up against arguably the form hooker of the competition in Malcolm Marx and he will have his hands full with his opposite number.
The match up at first five is one to keep an eye on as Elton Jantjies and Beauden Barrett try to weave their magic on this match. It will be an interesting prelude into the test matches to come with both most likely the starters for their respective nations.
Prediction
My obvious bias aside, I just think the Hurricanes will have more firepower this evening across the 80 minutes.
Hurricanes by 4.
Join us here live on The Roar as we cover all of the action from South Africa and don’t forget to leave your thoughts on the match below.
Stu B
Guest
4 neutral reffs for the final please.Nothing less!
Stu B
Guest
4 neautral reffs for the final please.
Ken Catchpole's Other. Leg
Guest
Well played, Digger.
Digby
Roar Guru
No complaints here, last three seasons have been a pleasure regardless after so much dross, in the end, we were comprehensively beaten by a terrific side. Bring on next week!
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Thanks mate! Sorry your Canes couldn't go back to back.
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
Great write up and a see sawing game of rugby. There is undeniably good rugby being played in the Super rugby comp but unfortunately it is often overshadowed by a horrible competition structure and format.
taylorman
Guest
Except I can't imagine the Saders skipping off to this sort of lead either. An away finals win would be a second only event in this comp so Saders have it uphill that's for sure.
taylorman
Guest
Yes true, picked the Lions to win this and Crusaders will need to repeat a bit of their own history to win this being still the only side to win an overseas final, vs Brumbies in 2000. After last year just feel the Lions will go one more. Saders being the Saders are the side to tip the scales if there is one but either way it's going to be a great final and if we're honest the best two sides, with one loss each, are in the final, the Lions obviously not having been phased by not meeting NZ sides despite popular, but in my eyes, misguided, opinion.
taylorman
Guest
Yes true, didn't see that, congrats Rhino, whattya doing on here anyway!?
Digby
Roar Guru
We were run over like roadkill. Lions are a very good side, Crusaders will have their work cut out for them.
Poppye
Guest
Crusaders to win in S.A is a big ask but being a one eyed bias kiwi we will thrash em 36 - 20
taylorman
Guest
Nah, Saders put fifty points on the three SA sides it played, winning by thirty in each, the Sharks got nowhere near doing that and lost to one of them and the Saders never got near doing that to any NZ side and nearly lost to all three you name, winning by a largest of nine. Canes also hammered them by bigger margins than the sharks, so you're really stretching three wins over NZ sides when no one but NZ sides did it. Reaaally stretching.
Digby
Roar Guru
Congrats Rhino on the new addition to the family, exciting times!
Digby
Roar Guru
Cheers Rob.
Digby
Roar Guru
Cheers Steve
Digby
Roar Guru
No complaints mate, absolutely smashed. Brilliant display in that second half.
Digby
Roar Guru
Cheers Wally
Digby
Roar Guru
The Lions have earned the right to host the 2017 Super Rugby final with a comprehensive victory over the Hurricanes thanks to a dominating second half performance to win by 44 points to 29 and set up an encounter with the Crusaders next weekend to decide the title. The intent from both sides was on display, looking to take advantage of the beautiful conditions and it was the Lions to strike first, an early penalty converted by Elton Jantjies before the Hurricanes jumped into gear, a solo effort by TJ Perenara, toeing a loose pass ahead and regathering to score the opening try of the match and the momentum swung towards the visitors, the Lions struggling at times with the width and pace of the Hurricanes and a second try scored by wing Wes Goosen and suddenly the Hurricanes had jumped out to a 15-3 lead. The Hurricanes looked to be all over the Lions but could not finish several hot opportunities as impatience with the ball proved costly but just when the Lions looked to have survived on defence and building their own momentum, loose handling from Ross Cronje was swooped upon by Ardie Savea to score another try against the run of play and the Hurricanes were away to a flying start. The Lions however managed to keep themselves in the contest, capitalising on Hurricanes ill-discipline and built pressure inside the Hurricanes 22 and prop Jacques van Rooyen barged over in the shadows of halftime to see a lead of 22-10 to the Hurricanes after the first half and would signal a significant change of momentum. The Lions began the second half full of running as the Hurricanes looked stuck in second gear, dramatically lifting the pace of the game as the Hurricanes began to falter and unforced errors saw the Lions cross early with a try from the base of the ruck to Ross Cronje then further sustained pressure and ill-discipline allowed the Lions an opportunity to maul from close and Malcolm Marx was over and the scores were suddenly locked up. There was brief respite for the Hurricanes as a turnover inside the Lions 22 and quick hands saw Ngani Laumepe cross out wide and the hurricanes had the lead back but the pace from the Lions told and a killer blow was struck as the Hurricanes, scrambling under pressure inside their 22 received a yellow card to Beauden Barrett for what was deemed a cynical infringement at the ruck, dragging the ball out with his legs as he attempted to drag himself away after the tackle and the Lions took full toll, converting the resulting penalty through Jantjies before two tries were scored in that 10 minute period, to Harold Vorster and Jantjies himself, both converted and a 10 point lead and all the momentum. Try as they might, the Hurricanes simply had no answer for a rampant Lions side and in their desperation, the Lions added the icing to the cake, an intercept pass inside the Hurricanes 22 seeing a final try to Kwagga Smith and a comprehensive second half performance completed as the Lions simply ran over the top of the Hurricanes and they can now look forward to hosting the Crusaders next week for the trophy.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Hey mate, the Sharks were MUCH better than the Roar gave them credit for!! Lol I've said before, Sharks would've beaten the Highlanders, Blues & Chiefs, and run the Canes & Saders close. But we'll never know.... :-)
Machiavelli
Guest
Not sure I agree with that. I think its going to be tougher and worse up front than the British and Irish Lions game for the Crusaders. More importantly this Lions team can attack ball in hand.