The Lions are through to their third straight Super Rugby final after powering over the top of the NSW Waratahs 44-26 in Johannesburg.
The South African team recovered from a slow start in their semi-final to earn another shot at the Crusaders after going down to the New Zealand powerhouse in last year’s decider.
Things didn’t go to script early for the Lions on Saturday as the Waratahs defied their underdog status to snatch a 14-0 lead after just 10 minutes on the back of 80 per cent possession to silence the home crowd.
But the team that belted the Waratahs 29-0 in Sydney back in April was never going to simply fold and hand them their first ticket to a final since 2014.
While the game was there to be won for the Waratahs, as a Tom Robertson try just before the break made it 19-19 halftime, the Lions grinded down the visitors by continually getting into threatening attacking positions.
After a tense opening 15 minutes to the second half, flyhalf Elton Jantjies slotted a penalty goal to put the Lions in front to start a matchwinning 10-minute period.
Substitute Damien Fitzpatrick hardly had time to gather composure once he was on the field for the Waratahs before he was sinbinned and the Lions capitalised almost immediately.
Hooker Malcolm Marx crossed for his second try of the match in the 58th minute before Kwagga Smith, who was the best player on the field, ensured he also had a double shortly after to give the Lions a 15-point advantage.
Waratahs substitute Jake Gordon scored a consolation try, which captain Bernard Foley converted with five minutes to go, but even that was cancelled out from Courtnall Skosan getting on the end of a terrific kick just before fulltime.
The last remaining Australian team were hot early on the back of barnstorming tries from Ned Hanigan and Israel Folau before the Lions hit top gear after 20 minutes.
“I think we’ve come along a long way this year, for a young forward pack and a couple of first-timers in Super Rugby and they’re going to be a hell of a lot better having this experience,” Foley said.
“I think we can take a lot from this, we’re only disappointed we’re not still alive in this competition and playing for the cup next week.”
The Lions will now make the trip to Christchurch searching for their first title when they play the Crusaders in the final on August 4.
“I think overall it was a decent performance but we’ll probably have to be 50 per cent better next week, there’s a lot to work on,” Lions captain Warren Whiteley said.
“We just tried to get a bit more direct (after the slow start) we always try to turn to that but the guys stepped up. The Tahs put us under pressure, I thought they were right in the game until the end.”
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Just because Phipps was looking directly at the player it doesn’t mean he meant to pass it there. His passes often don’t go where they are meant to!
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Kwagga's contribution as a jumper in the lineout and ruck skills make him a terrific asset.
Reality Check
Guest
Hopefully no Tah forwards will be in the Wallabies starting 15.Total Powder Puffs. All Brumbies Reds with Coleman should be the Wallaby starting pack. Are you listening Cheika ?
Cyclops
Guest
Folau has no cover defence at 15. AB`s will run rings around him all night and score at will. Folau won`t worry them, he never has worried the AB`s.
Hertryk
Guest
The ARU dropped the Force because of the travel.. well that was one excuse.. so go figure re the travel excuse .
JP
Guest
I`m glad you showed Folau .The bloke is great with ball in hand but FFS he has not got the motor or positional defensiive nous for a fullback ( the other half of a 15`s game ) .Plonk him on the wing where he plays his best Rugby.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
Why was Sanisforth called off by Jackson during the maul that lead to the Lions try after halftime? He seemed to have come through the maul and had rights to play the ball. I watched the replays and still can't figure it out
jeznez
Roar Guru
He was everywhere, couldn’t believe the number of times he’d handle twice in the same movement!
Baylion
Roar Rookie
Refs normally won't penalise it unless the player is in line between the halfback and another player.. I thought the call on Dreyer was fair as he had enough time to lie down or roll out of the way
Bakkies
Roar Guru
Moa with Australian teams it happens very frequently. The League disease of kicking the ball straight down to the opposition back three in the centre of the field giving the attackers options both sides with forwards in support is very much alive in Australian Rugby these days. The days of Latho booting torps in to the stands are sadly long gone.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
Did the Saders get a real trophy for winning the real final? Are they the real champions now or only the "real" champions? Why are they even playing on Saturday?
Jacko
Guest
If you can keep the ball at the back of the scrum and going forward it commits more and more forwards defenders and opens up space either just off the scrum or wider out....I was coached that way as a school kid back in 1970s so presumably it is still a legitimate tactic
moa
Guest
Muzz, It was a saffer commentator i was talking about.I generally enjoy their work....and am not having a real go at this one; I just thought it highlighted how we all have selective memories sometimes.....and conveniently forget the things we don't want to recall!
moa
Guest
Fionn, to be fair i think most kickers around the world come up with some pretty average work from time to time; it's just when one of 'em results in a try to your team's opponent you tend to sit up and take notice. That said, Foley doesn't posses a strong boot and i wondered if he got a bit carried away in the rarified air there and just wanted to set some kind of personal best! ;-)
jacko
Guest
I thought Izzy Rona had a great game
Jacko
Guest
yeah and he has to displace another genius attacking player in Dmac who in his first test start at 10 scored 2 trys, had 2 try assists and conceded 1 intercept try. Dmac has a longer kicking game than mounga, a better faster pass and is versatile enough to play FB and 10...mounga a specialist 10 only. Dmac has also played at test level on the wing...Lucky Hansen with those choices
taylorman
Roar Guru
You mean cheep?
taylorman
Roar Guru
?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Smith became the starting LH, his twin is still the bench TH behind Tupou
jeznez
Roar Guru
we had the SA Skysports team on Rugbypass, pretty light on the Aussie players names (especially mixing up Rona for Folau almost every time) but they were generally good.