Currie Cup Final: Numbers that matter
STAT ATTACK: A first-ever Currie Cup Final will be played between the Lions and Griquas, and some of their key season statistics make for interesting reading.
Both outfits ensured a great and entertaining rugby season with awesome tries scored throughout the campaign.
During their last meeting, it was the Lions who cruised to a 37-7 win, but a week in the game is a long time, never mind two!
The Lions will be hopeful to get the job done at home this season after losing the Final in overtime last year.
In their way is a determined and hungry Griquas side who are out to claim their fourth Currie Cup title, with their previous coming way back in 1970.
@Angyboyj plucked a couple of season stats to determine where the game could be won or lost for either side this weekend, and which areas will be of concern for both teams.
Discipline
One of the most important aspects of the match.
When your discipline is off, the chances of winning a match become very slim, as it allows your opposition easy entries into your half and the opportunity to score points.
The Lions are the more disciplined side between the two this season, having conceded 62 penalties to Griquas’ 89.
The Lions conceded six yellow cards during this year’s campaign, whereas Griquas conceded eight yellow cards and one red card.
In a Final, a card of any sort is not what you need, and it’s an area both teams will need to be squeaky clean.
Points and tries scored
This aspect of the game almost goes hand in hand with discipline. Not just on the ball, but off it as well.
The Lions have the edge again, having scored 46 tries and a total of 311 points in comparison to Griquas’ 38 tries and 263 total points to date.
Anything can happen in a Final, but at altitude, and the Lions being the more prolific try scorers, Griquas will need to find a way to counter that and frustrate the Lions into mistakes to curb their quick ball that gives them attacking momentum.
Turnovers won
Turnover ball is the best ball to attack from, many coaches would say, as you come up against an unstructured defensive system.
The two sides are quite evenly matched in this department.
The Lions have won 59 turnovers so far this season, with Griquas just behind them on 53.
The breakdown battle and handling skills could just be the difference for both these outfits, who has outstanding outside backs to turn defence into attack.
@Angyboyj
@rugby365com
NEW IN THE APP: Official World Rugby Rankings hub! Compare team rankings side-by-side, with data going back 20 years.
Download the RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!
