Lions ready for 'mission impossible'
SUPER RUGBY FINAL: Apart from the Lions themselves, and their die-hard supporters, few are giving the Lions any chance of beating the Crusaders.
The bookmakers are giving the Lions a start (or a handicap for the Crusaders) of anything between 17 and 30 points – when the two teams go head-to-head in Christchurch on Saturday.
These odds are also reflected in the New Zealand media – who, with a measure of arrogance, have been very dismissive of the South African franchise.
It is the first time in the history of Super Rugby – since the earliest days of the Super 10 – that the same two teams will meet in back-to-back Finals.
And the sides are largely unchanged from last year’s Final at Ellis Park.
Twelve of the Lions players, in the starting XV on Saturday, also featured in the 17-25 loss to the Crusaders in last year’s Final in Johannesburg.
Loose forward Ruan Ackermann has moved on with his father, Johan, to Gloucester in the Premiership. His place in the starting XV has been taken by captain Warren Whiteley – who missed the 2017 Final through injury.
Jaco Kriel, who played on the flank, is currently injured and will head to Gloucester soon. Cyle Brink, who played off the bench in 2017, starts on the flank. Marvin Orie, one of the finds of the season for the Lions, starts in the place of Andries Ferreira – who is injured.
Springboks Armand van der Merwe (Sharks), Francois de Klerk (Sale Sharks) and Rohan Janse van Rensburg (currently injured, but also heading to Sale Sharks) all played off the bench last year.
The Crusaders will have 19 players back from last year’s Final.
Seta Tamanivalu starts on the right wing in place of Israel Dagg and Heiden Bedwell-Curtis is on the flank in place of the injured Jordan Taufua (fractured arm).
Missing from last year’s Crusaders bench are Ben Funnell and Wyatt Crockett, while George Bridge has been promoted to the starting XV.
The Lions have admitted they will be underdogs, by anybody’s measure.
However, loose forward Albertus Smith said the team believes that it is mission possible.
“They [the Crusaders] are a good team, but we are also a good team,” Smith said.
“We must just focus on ourselves.
“We can’t afford to focus on them.
“Yes, people are making a big fuss about them, but we must focus on ourselves.”
The flank, who gave up a lucrative Sevens career to focus on the 15-a-side game, said they don’t with the general perception that they are like lambs to the slaughter.
“We don’t focus on the media or what the people say,” Smith said, adding: “It is only us that can make a difference.
“If we stick to our game plan and get a good start, we will be in the contest.”
Many pundits suggest the forwards battle will be key to victory in Christchurch.
“We have a lot of experience in our pack.
“If we can start [dominate] there, then our backline can finish it off.
“They are the best defensive team in Super Rugby, but we are also a good defensive team.”
The breakdown has also been listed as a point of difference.
“The Crusaders have good players at the breakdown,” he said, adding: “For Malcolm [Marx] and I, it is part of our tasks and we have to do it for the team.”
He felt that the travel factor won’t come into the frame.
“We did it once already this year,” he said crossing the Indian Ocean, before beating the Waratahs 29-0.
“We did not finish the tour well, but when we travelled to the Waratahs we also travelled late.
“That week was one of our best build-ups to a game this year and the experience will stand us in good stead for this game.”
@rugby365com
