Lions vs Crusaders: Super Rugby live scores, blog

Roar Guru

1st April, 2018

2129 Reads

Where: Ellis Park, Johannesburg.
When: Sunday 1st April – 10:30pm AEST
Betting Odds: Crusaders $1.40, Lions $3.00

Lions
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith

Replacements: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Jacques Van Rooyen, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Marvin Orie, 21 Marnus Schoeman, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Shaun Reynolds

Crusaders
15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tim Perry

Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Tom Sanders, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mike Delany, 23 Manasa Mataele

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The Crusaders are the best side in Super Rugby. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Nick Kelland

Roar Guru

1st April, 2018

2129 Reads

It’s a grand final rematch when the Lions host the Crusaders in the final match of Round 7 on Sunday night. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 10:30pm AEDT.

The grand final last year went the way of the Crusaders, but the Lions at home are a completely different beast – and it means tonight’s clash should be a tight affair.

First, the Lions.

It’s been a hot and cold season so far for Swys De Bruin’s troops. Despite topping the SA conference at the moment, they still probably haven’t put together a complete 80-minute performance. They were also run to the wire two weeks ago by a fired up Sunwolves outfit.

Tonight, they have made a string of changes to the side that got beaten by the Jaguares last start.

Hacjivah Dayimani starts at No.8 in the biggest change of the week, whilst halfback Dillon Smit gets his first run on in the starting XV. The bench has a massive makeover with no less than four switch-ups.

For the Crusaders, Mitch Drummond moves to the bench, with Bryn Hall starting. Matt Todd returns from injury, too.

Where the game will be won
I genuinely feel these teams match up quite well on paper. The set piece should be fairly even, while there’s enough finishing power out wide in both fifteens. For me, it’s whether or not the Lions are able to bounce back from their last two performances, which have left a lot to be desired.

The Crusaders know that it’s a tough place to win, and they’ll be keen to pull a swift one – but beware of the wounded beast in front of a raucous home crowd.

Lions by 6 in an arm wrestle.

Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 10:30pm AEDT.

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