Lions not content to play underdog

SOUTH Africa’s Lions have defiantly rejected their allocated role in the narrative around today’s Super Rugby final as the last minor obstacle on the Crusaders’ road to a ninth championship.

According to that storyline, the defending champion Crusaders are certain to add to their record tally of eight titles and the Johannesburg- based Lions, beaten finalists in each of the last two years, are brave underdogs, likely to put up a fight before succumbing to a heavy loss.

In the traditional rounds of gamesmanship that precede a major final, coaches are happy to embrace the underdog tag, believing it relieves pressure and provides extra motivation.

The Crusaders did so before beating the Lions 25- 17 in last year’s final in Johannesburg.

But coach Swys de Bruin has rejected the suggestion the Lions are destined to be threetime losers.

While acknowledging the strength of the Crusaders, who topped the table and swept through the quarter- finals and semis with wins over the Sharks ( 40- 10) and Hurricanes ( 30- 12), he says the Lions are going to Christchurch to “do a job.” The Crusaders are unbeaten in 20 playoff matches in Christchurch.

But while de Bruin said a win would be a miracle, he added: “I believe in miracles.”

“The fact is that they are favourites, they are a very good team. But it is still 80 minutes between four white lines so it will be interesting.”

De Bruin has made two minor personnel changes but says there’ll be no change to the style of play that has carried the Lions to the final.

The Lions’ forward pack is formidable and it’s rolling maul, steered by hooker Malcolm Marx, is the best in the tournament.

De Bruin endorsed the ability of Elton Jantjes to guide the Lions’ backline, though the mercurial flyhalf is often criticised in South Africa.