Crusaders
36
Match Complete
Lions
10
| S. Reece |  | 57 | ||
| 53 |  | E. Jantjies | ||
| 52 | | R. Combrinck | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 50 | ||
| G. Bridge | | 50 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 48 | ||
| G. Bridge | | 48 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 34 | ||
| S. Reece | | 34 | ||
| 18 |  | E. Jantjies | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 9 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 5 | ||
| B. Ennor | | 4 |
| 5 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Lions will be the latest team to attempt mission impossible tonight as they travel to Christchurch to take on the all-conquering Crusaders. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 5:35pm AEST.
After two successive grand final defeats, the Lions will attempt to gain a small measure of revenge when they clash against the Crusaders this evening.
Like most teams though, chances are that the Lions will struggle yet again against a Crusaders team that appears practically unbackable favourites to lift their third successive Super Rugby title.
Since losing to the Waratahs, the Crusaders have resumed their dominant form, defeating the Hurricanes, Brumbies and Highlanders by convincing margins en route to last week’s bye.
The Lions meanwhile defeated a Chiefs side without injured superstar Damien McKenzie. With that said, the Lions have plenty to play for given the congested nature of a very competitive South African conference.
In team news, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has made six changes to his starting side for Friday’s replay of the 2018 final in Christchurch.
Most notably hooker Codie Taylor (calf) and winger George Bridge (knee/hamstring) return from injuries while Robertson has elected to rest All Blacks trio Jack Goodhue, Matt Todd and Scott Barrett.
Rising star Will Jordan — who is Super Rugby’s equal-leading top try-scorer — has been left out of the squad completely.
Meanwhile, Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx has been rested for the Lions.
The Lions have made four changes to the starting team that beat the Chiefs, with Robbie Coetzee in for Marx and Nic Groom, Shaun Reynolds and Ruan Combrinck all getting the nod.
Reynolds starts at five-eighth for the injured Gianni Lombard with Elton Jantjies continuing at inside centre.
The Lions pulled a swifty last weekend by promoting stars Marx and Jantjies to the starting lineup just before kickoff after they had originally been named on the bench.
Prediction
The Lions should have no issue getting up for this contest. The Crusaders are the yardstick and all teams are keen to measure their quality against the reigning champions.
With that said, no team is better at putting teams to the sword than the Crusaders and if they get off to another fast start here, another long night awaits the Lions.
Crusaders by 21
Time: 5:35pm AEST
Venue: AMI Stadium
Betting: Crusaders $1.06, Lions $9.50
CRUSADERS (15-1)
David Havili, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Kieran Read, Billy Harmon, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sam Whitelock (c), Quinten Strange, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody
Reserves: Ben Funnell, Harry Allan, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Jordan Taufua, Ere Enari, Mitchell Hunt, Ngane Punivai
LIONS (15-1)
Ruan Combrinck, Sylvian Mahuza, Lionel Mapoe, Elton Jantjies, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Shaun Reynolds, Nic Groom, Warren Whiteley (c), Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith, Marvin Orie, Stephan Lewies, Carlu Sadie, Robbie Coetzee, Sti Sithole
Reserves: Jan-Henning Campher, Nathan Mcbeth, Johannes Jonker, Wilhelm Vd Sluys, Marnus Schoeman, Ross Cronje, Franco Naude, Tyrone Green
Sylvester
Guest
"Starts in High School though, the 4 private schools with really strong rugby culture." Sure, but any better than other regions? The best high schools aren't in Chch, although CBHS and Nelson College have been very strong. I don't think Aranui's had a first XV is years. It's the talent ID through the Crusaders academy that's been the difference,
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
I would not of thought Goodhue needed any resting policy to include him.All better the moregame time I reckon.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Starts in High School though, the 4 private schools with really strong rugby culture and Aranui High providing some more raw talent. This feeds the machine and is complemented by the imported talent at University age etc. Then culture above all else, every player recognising they are part of a bigger picture and sustaining the intellectual continuity.
Sylvester
Guest
The Lincoln University sports scholarship is a big draw. McCaw, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Jack Goodhue (and many others) all in Canterbury to study there for free thanks to the CRFU.
TimO
Roar Rookie
Culture. Dedication to the team and the game. Egos kept in check. A community that backs them. A city that big enough to support them, but small enough to get around easily and to feel like home (like Canberra, wondered why Brumbies always punch above their weight). Smart recruiting. Players wanting to go there, partly because they know they'll be in a place where they'll get the best teaching. Players wanting to stay there, even if they could earn more overseas. And culture.
CJ
Guest
Question. Why are the Crusaders so consistently good for so long. I mean better than all other NZ teams?
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Crusaders just too good and they left out 3 blokes who are current or ex-AB. That's scary. The only thing to save the Super Rugby comp from turning into a sure thing every year is 3/4 of this side ships over to France to play some Top 14 in between sampling the cheese,wine and mademoiselles. In the meantime, in the Oceania U20 Championships NZ trampled all over a tiring and outclassed Fiji 53-7. After 46 minutes the junior WB are 41-7 up against Japan. The Ozzie side has Fraser McRight and Isaac Lucas from the Reds and Will Harrison from the Rebels. The best run so far was in the 45th minute, from the LHP Angus Bell who bumped off 5 opponents in a 40m run, then a nice (suspicious forward) offload for a great try.
Hedley Lamarr
Guest
What a sublime performance by the Crusaders, - may as well give them the trophy now!!
Cantab
Guest
So Reece and Jordan have scored in every game where they have been in the game day 23.
Alan
Roar Guru
The Crusaders continue on their winning ways, defeating the Lions by 26 points at home. The greatest team in Super Rugby history remain firmly on course for another Super Rugby championship and it is going to take a hell of a team to stop them. The Lions were never in this contest and the Crusaders put them to bed early in the second half with back to back tries. The rest was just a formality. Crusaders unbeatable.
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: 36-10
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Match winding down now as the Crusaders continue on their winning ways. Always going to be a tough ask for the Lions.
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Sevu Reece with another break. Gulf in class evident.
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Crusaders very comfortable here as they just go through the motions. They have the Lions at their mercy as they get another penalty
Alan
Roar Guru
67' - Another penalty to the Lions but the Crusaders are out of sight.
Alan
Roar Guru
64' - This second half has gone by quickly as the Lions get the penalty.
Bruce Peters
Roar Rookie
Sevu Reece.. outstanding try
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION MISSED: 36-10
Alan
Roar Guru
Sevu Reece scores a double tonight as he crosses the line. Crusaders with another superb second half here. They are unbeatable. Goodness me how do you stop this machine???
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY CRUSADERS