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Led by two superb performances up front by Malcolm Marx and Kwagga Smith, the Lions overpowered the Waratahs 44-26 at Ellis Park last night to cement a berth in the final next Saturday against the Crusaders.
It will be a repeat of last year’s decider at Ellis Park, but next week will be in Christchurch after the Crusaders accounted for the Hurricanes 30-12.
As for the Waratahs, they can feel justifiably proud of being genuinely competitive for most of the 80 minutes, but must give themselves a major uppercut for giving away so many senseless penalties in attack.
Jed Holloway was a serial offender and if he’s to play a role in the Wallaby campaign for the Rugby Championship, he’d better tidy up his act in a hurry.
For most of the season the Waratahs have come out of the shed dormant, giving away points at will.
Not last night.
Tries to Des Hanigan and the inevitable Israel Folau were the result of sweeping backline moves, both converted by skipper Bernard Foley for a surprise 14-0 lead in a hurry.
Then the next inevitable, the aggressive Lions’ pack, led by Marx and Smith, got their act together to grind and steamroll themselves into a 19-14 lead in the shadows of halftime.
Not to be denied, the Waratahs struck back with a Tom Robertson try from a short lineout, and it was 19-all at the break.
That was no mean feat with the Lions enjoying 54 per cent possession, and 54 per cent territory in the energy-sapping high altitude of Ellis Park, 1700 metres above sea level.
Step up to the plate winger Aphiwe Dyanti.
Foley kicked deep where Dyanti gathered and when he was closing in on the Waratahs’ chase he deftly chip kicked and regathered on the full to touch down untouched – a journey of 80 metres.
It was as good an individual try as you’re likely to see.
With a glut of possession and territory, aided by a spate of successive penalties given away by the Tahs, the Lions opened up a 37-19 lead that was way out of reach, given the Lions’ control.
The final score of 44-26 was a pretty fair indication of the difference between the two sides – the almost brutal aggression of the Lions; pack to the spreading of the ball wide by the Waratahs’ backs.
Lack of discipline was the Waratahs killer, with referee Glen Jackson dishing them out 15-7 – no side can win on that stat, and it was the Waratahs own fault.
The Waratahs turned over 12-10, missed 25 tackles to the Lions; 26, yet had the bulk of the second half possession, and territory, with 56 and 57 per cent respectively.
But when the Tahs looked dangerous, the turnovers, and penalties kept letting the Lions off the hook.
Despite the loss, the Waratahs were a huge improvement on last years 16th finish to go within a game of reaching the final.
Foley nailed it with “I’m incredibly proud of my guys”.
And so he should be as the Crusaders and Lions prepare for the decider as a fitting finale between the two best teams in the tournament.