Preview: Lions v Waratahs
SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINAL: The Lions continue to deny that their 2016 and 2017 failures in those finals are a driving force.
However, despite their most vehement protestations, there is no doubt the Lions would love nothing more than to erase painful memories of losing to the Hurricanes (2016) and Crusaders (2017) in the last two finals.
However, they first have to get past a very dangerous and in-form Waratahs team.
Hooker Malcolm Marx spoke of the ‘experience’ gained from the last two years – or as some often call it: ‘Lessons learnt.’
“I think we’re a bit more experienced now that we’ve had two finals under our belt,” he said ahead of the encounter with the Tahs in Johannesburg on Saturday.
“I definitely believe we’re as strong as we were a year ago.”
The Waratahs – who were whitewashed 29-0 by the Lions in Sydney earlier this year – have not won at Ellis Park since 2009.
However, scrumhalf Nick Phipps spoke of being “quick” and “unrelenting” as a way of reversing the loss they suffered at home in April.
“We’re not going to come into a semifinal and change the way we play now,” he said.
“We’re not going to die wondering.
“We’re ready to play our game and play it to the best of our ability.”
Lions skipper Warren Whiteley has cautioned his side about reading too much into their last encounter with the Waratahs.
“We know the Waratahs have lots of attacking threats and will kick tactically, because they’ll most likely be aiming to keep the ball in play, so we’ll need to be switched on defensively,” Whiteley said.
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said he did not envisage the Lions changing their game plan.
“We learnt a great deal from the last time [back in April] we played them and when their strengths led them to victory,” Gibson said.
” We have again focused on our defence this week as we see that as key to victory.”
The Waratahs advanced to the semifinals after turning a 17-point deficit – at half-time – into a seven-point victory against the Highlanders.
“You cannot look past the support of our loyal members and fans who got the ‘NSW’ chant going and helped our team win that match last week.
“And add to that the fighting traits of our team, the way we managed the yellow card period and the excellent tries we scored.
“We are going into Saturday’s match with the message of not having any regrets,” Gibson added.
Recent results:
2018: Lions won 29-0, Sydney
2017: Lions won 55-36, Johannesburg
2015: Lions won 27-22, Johannesburg
2014: Waratahs won 41-13, Sydney
2011: Waratahs won 29-12, Sydney
2010: Waratahs won 73-12, Sydney
2009: Waratahs won 38-33, Johannesburg
2008: Waratahs won 26-3, Sydney
2007: Waratahs won 25-16, Johannesburg
2006: Waratahs won 50-3, Sydney
Prediction: The Lions have won their last three games on the bounce against the Waratahs, including a 29-0 when they met earlier this year; the New South Wales squad had won each of their six meetings prior. The Lions come into this game on the back of a brace of wins, the last time they won more was a three-game glut to open the current campaign. This will be the Waratahs’ eighth Super Rugby semi-final, with results alternating across their previous seven appearances; the NSW club last appeared at this stage in a 2015 defeat to the Highlanders. The Lions have beaten 27 defenders per game this season, more than any other team in the competition. Israel Folau has scored seven tries in his last five games in a Waratahs jersey in South Africa, as well as contributing two try assists in that span. At Ellis Park the Lions are a much tougher task and the men from Johannesburg should sneak the win – by seven points.
Teams:
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrink, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Lourens Erasmus, 6 Albertus Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Replacements: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Hacjivah Dayimani, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Courtnall Skosan, 23 Howard Mnisi.
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Bernard Foley (captain), 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Will Miller, 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Brad Wilkin, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Cam Clark.
Date: Saturday, July 28
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT; 23.00 AEST)
Expected weather: Plenty of sunshine and no rain predicted. High of 21°C and low of 6°C
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Compiled by Jan de Koning, additional reporting by AFP
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* Statistics provided by Opta Sports
