The Crusaders have won their ninth Super Rugby title in dominant fashion, defeating the Lions 37-18 at home in Christchurch.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Crusaders 37
Lions 18
The Crusaders host the Lions Saturday night at AMI Park, Christchurch. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:35pm AEST.
The Lions beat the Crusaders by almost 30 points, two years ago. But that was at home in South Africa. Both teams were coached by different people who have since moved to the UK. That was the only win by the Lions in their past eight games.
This season, Scott Robinson’s Crusaders have looked as invulnerable as his team last year, losing only twice. Their last loss was five months ago. This year, the Lions lost seven.
The Crusaders is the second highest point scorer, 15 points behind the Waratahs 557. They are the dominating defending team of the competition – the only team conceding less than 300 points.
Swys de Bruin’s Lions are third best in defence conceding 345 points. They are also third best in attack, scoring 23 points less than the Crusaders.
Their last encounter was a close affair, with Crusaders winning by only six points. Their previous game was also in “Jozi” resulting in any another close antipodean win, by eight points.
Their only match played in Chirstchurch was 2015, where Johan Ackermann’s Lions were smashed by 28 points though a comprehensive display of power, speed and smart.
The Lions have improved since then. Therefore, the three things I look forward to in this match are:
1. Set piece. Both teams are excellent extremely good scrummagers and line-out pilferers
2. Lions defence around the edge of the field
3. The speed of the Lion’s backrow versus the speed and power of the Crusaders backrow
Prediction
Both Crusaders and Lions are ensemble teams. Harry Jones predicted that the Lions have an excellent chance to raise the silver Octopus the if they win the LOTTO, which is Line-Out and Turn-Over. I tend to agree. However, I believe they have the same chance of doing that as winning the real LOTTO itself.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:35pm AEST.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
why - there is enough rugby as it is...mate
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
The kids keep me busy, Rob. Boundless energy and now in summer go to bed the same time as I do. Very much savouring this win, thanks.
RobC
Roar Guru
Pleasure KK! Havent heard from you as much. Hope you / all are well, sir. Congrats again. Saders too good!!! Enjoy the win
RobC
Roar Guru
Pleasure NB!
RobC
Roar Guru
Adam smith. It was an air swing, I think
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Thanks, Chook. And thanks for your blogs this year and the game tonight, Rob.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Pistol! ~ You seem to be a knowledgeable dude, and it looks as if you know something that we on here don't mate, and it's interesting stuff you put on here, particularly regarding the Crusaders! ~ What I for one would like to know, is your source of information because it seems that ''you've got a Stooge somewhere or other that keeps you informed on how bad the Crusaders are, things that we scrubbers don't know mate! I wonder about this info' because I was never aware that the Crusaders were as bad as you say they are, I just didn't know mate! Feed us your source Rosebud!
Nobrain
Roar Guru
Congratulations Crusaders!!!!! Excellent team all around. Lions are one thing with ball in hand but they leak to many points in defence. Thanks RobC!!!
RobC
Roar Guru
Sure faith. But I dont care about either teams. Im a Reds fan
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Stop teasing Derm! :)
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
I think the top teams in both the major comps - Leinster , Munster, Saracens, Exeter up North, the four top NZ sides plus the Tahs and Lions down South - would be playoff contenders in either SR or ERCC. Crusaders would be best equipped of the SR teams to win the European Cup because of their strength in the forwards. while (we) would have a good shot at winning SR because we like more ball in play than a typical NH side, and are coached that way too.
Derm
Roar Guru
Full of them Julz Full of them.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Unbeaten in all 11 of their ERCC and Pro 14 playoff matches thank you very much, home and away - two less than the Crusaders!
Katipo
Guest
If travel is no object for the Crusaders, and Leinster are best at home, then play the Champion of Champions match in Leinster. Easy. (I think Crusaders would win BTW, but that game would hold much more interest than the SR final did, where we were 99% sure the 'saders would win before kick-off. And they did).
taylorman
Roar Guru
Was it the final? No. You have to get there for that to be interesting here. What the Tahs did at some rare high point in their season is irrelevant now.
taylorman
Roar Guru
What logic and facts would they be? All Ive seen is opinion. And you think playing more games where you can get to each with a bus pass is tougher than playing in four different continents over several time zones? Leinster went outside its back yard and got hammered by bottom dwellers the Cheetahs. How would they have gone away to the NZ sides, Lions? Even rhe Tahs? Mince meat Id say.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Didnt Leinster get thrashed by the ummm...Cheetahs, and massacred by Connacht this year? This is the contender?
Pistol Pete
Guest
save your breath bishop. kiwis with hubris will not listen to logic or facts. super rugby is weaker than ever before, but somehow this saders team would walk over the teams in europe? that is some beautiful logic. lol would love to see the saders in the top 14 for a season. they would probably look really flash the first 10-15 rounds, but when the grind and cheer brutality kicks in, they would struggle big time. 26 round robin games plus playoff and european cups (ten games extra if you to win the double)... saders would be on their knees in the second half of the season.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Where its completely conceivable that the Crusaders could dominate any tournament in the north. Quite easily. Pie in the sky there T-man, pie in the sky :)
Pistol Pete
Guest
saders have more players in their squad that is imported than leinster have.