VIDEO: Crusaders ignoring 'wise owls'
WATCH as Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar explains how they are dealing with the social and other media ‘pundits’ writing the Lions off as no-hopers.
Mooar, who has had a coaching stint in South Africa, said the Lions should be respected – as they have “earned” their place in the Final.
The two teams meet in Christchurch on Saturday, a repeat of last year’s Final in Johannesburg – which the Crusaders won 25-17.
The overwhelming majority of pundits are giving the Lions no chance of winning, given the eight-time Crusaders’ dominance of the competition this year.
The Christchurch-based franchise was 12 points better on the standings than the next team and beat the Hurricanes, the second best of the teams in the pool stages, 30-12 in last week’s semifinals.
That prompted those pundits – also referred to as the ‘wise owls’ of the media world – to claim that the Crusaders are at least 20 points better than any other team.
Mooar, however, is not buying into the hype and suggestions that the Lions are no-hopers.
“We are not writing them off one bit,” said Mooar, who was an assistant coach of the Southern Kings back in 2013.
“We totally respect them,” he said of the Lions, adding: “They are a really strong set-piece side.
“They have a first five-eighth [Elton Jantjies] that gets them around the field very well.
“[The] fullback [Andries Coetzee] is really dangerous as well. [They have] fast outside backs.
“It is a hell of a recipe for an opposition for us to prepare for.”
Mooar said they have had discussions before, around the ‘wise owls’.
“It is very easy for them [media and public] to say that, when they are not involved.
“I have spoken clearly about the threat that the Lions poses.
“They have earned their position in the Final.
“Swys de Bruin, I really respect as a coach. He has brought a new coaching group together this year.
“He has carried on a culture from Johan Ackermann, but has put his own flavour into that.”
The Crusaders are also putting in some extra hours in analysing the Lions, hoping to spot any changes in their approach to the game.
“New Zealand sides, you tend to feel you know them well. We play against them quite a bit. Also, through the All Blacks and other [national] teams, the players play with them.
“You get to know the individuals in the teams and the coaching group.
“When you play a side from overseas, it is a bit more homework to get to know them again – to see if we see anything different from earlier in the year and what we expect them to bring.”
Mooar also spoke of the “great” history between the two sides in Saturday’s Final.
They have played each other 20 times, with 16 wins to the Crusaders.
They have met twice in play-offs – the Lions winning 42-25 in the quarterfinal in 2016 and the Crusaders victorious (25-17) in the Final last year. Both those matches were at Ellis Park.
“It is illustrative of the New Zealand [versus] South Africa history, [like] the All Blacks against the Springboks.
“The Lions have been highly successful over the last few years, highly consistent. [It is their] third Final in a row, the second in New Zealand.
“I am sure they have delved back into their notes from the trip take on the Hurricanes [in Wellington] two years ago.
“[They would have looked at] what went well there and what didn’t.
“They would have put together a plan to beat us here [in Christchurch].
“It is a really exciting week.”
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