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.
Dave David
Guest
My God. That complete and utter idiot Fitzpatrick - rarely have I seen anything more braindead and completely stupid at any level of rugby. Surely he took an Uber at fulltime straight back to the hotel to avoid his team mates?
Julz
Guest
How did the Lions go from the worst team in Super Rugby to three straight Finals.. As much as you want them to win the Final this week, unfortunately for them, they're not getting past this Crusaders side..
Buk
Guest
Good point re 'for the Waratahs, they can feel justifiably proud of being genuinely competitive for most of the 80 minutes' - yes that about sums it up, and the early tries meant they did not go out without firing any shots. A much better showing the Hurricanes in the the other semi. But calling the Lions one of the two best teams in the tournament is a bit of a stretch, given the points standings at the end of the round robin, & their record against NZ teams: lost to the Blues at home lost to the Crusaders at home lost to Hurricanes away lost to Highlanders away did not play the Chiefs Not one win against NZ sides. Also lost to Reds away (ok, not that relevant, but threw it in as a bright light in a fairly bare cupboard for my Reds).
taylorman
Roar Guru
generally cool? It'll be flippin freezing!
Puff
Guest
Correct, the Tah’s continually struggled at the set peace and perhaps employed the wrong strategy with their early running game. In Christchurch the Lion will need to utilize a very different game plan as a winning performance in the deep south, is extremely difficult to obtain. I would think having time to acclimatize would be accentual, as evenings in that region are generally cool and a late travel commitment appears an interesting approach. The Crusaders up front are well balance and skillful, abilities the Lions have not always displayed. At home the Crusaders find a different level of intensity and this final will be no different. The folk from Ellis Park will require their A game as Malcolm Marx / Kwagga Smith, will not be offered turnovers and other scraps. A third time lucky, big call.
Orange Fuhrer
Guest
As someone said on Friday, Kwagga Smith is 94 kilos but plays like he is 105 kilos and Ned Hanigan is 110 kilos and plays like he is 90 kilos.
Reality Check
Guest
Quade Cooper was flyhalf in all 3 wins under Robbie Deans in the Republic.
No Chance
Guest
Good to see you were wrong and i was right "again" Lordy, albeit not quite a 40 point thrashing. P.S Good to see Izzy go MIA again in cover defence at 15.
Baz
Guest
;(
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
That is the problem with the Tahs Not enough semi-colons.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
The Lions are peaking at the right time and with Whiteley back there is onfield leadership again, something that was missing during the middle part of their campaign when games were lost that should have been won
Baylion
Roar Rookie
The Lions have made a habit of starting slow and falling behind in the first 20 minutes or so. They can't afford this against the Sadists, coming from behind against their solid defence that breaks up most attacks will be tough, if not impossible. For them to stand a chance they need to outscore the Saders from the start, or at least keep pace with the score. The battle of the two packs is going to be epic, I think.
Bakkies
Roar Guru
The Tarts were dreadful last year. The Bulls team that the Force beat actually had a forward pack featuring Gary Botha, Guthro Steenkamp, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Pedrie Wannenburg, Jacques Cronje with Fourie du Preez at scrumhalf.
Ex force fan
Guest
The Force finest for me was their last game against the star studded Tahs.
Bakkies
Roar Guru
That draw in Bloemfontein was another botched opportunity. I remember the Force beating a prime time Bulls side at Loftus in probably their finest victory. This was also when the Bulls got fans to their games so the atmosphere topped the conditions. As far as I know the Rabble have never won in SA.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
I see the Lions are flying out Tuesday evening, according to reports
taylorman
Roar Guru
Not an expert on it but if theyre not in Christchurch by Tuesday Id say their prep will be seriously impacted. Regardless, the Saders luxury of setting up camp for three weeks, five given they had the Blues and Highlanders at home prior to that, brings a definite advantage beyond your normal home vs away match. A better spectacle would be if they switched the match to Ellis.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
I'm not saying they are doing it this time, only assuming they will be
Baylion
Roar Rookie
Their medical people apparently worked out you're better off maintaining your SA sleep patterns for two days if you don't have time to fully recover from jetlag. Something like that. Gives you proper prep time at home before flying out, Just a captains run on the day before the match and obviously the kickers will do kicking practice to test the conditions Got and email this morning that there's a media session with some of the players Monday round noon
taylorman
Roar Guru
Youre saying with 2 weeks between matches the Lions flew to Sydney three days before the match? Doesnt make sense, plus here they dont get two weeks. Not even the full seven days if the final is Sat. Night. No comparison with the Tahs match prep. This is awful.