Hurricanes tipping Lions to have final say

The Hurricanes leaders believe the Crusaders will be hard-pressed to prevent the Lions winning their maiden Super Rugby title.

The Lions host the seven-time champion Crusaders in the final in Johannesburg on Sunday morning (NZ time).

The Hurricanes felt the full force of the Lions at the daunting Ellis Park last weekend when they blew a 22-3 lead and allowed the South Africans to storm back to win their semifinal 44-29.

The Hurricanes are the only team to have beaten the Crusaders this year but feel the Lions could match that in the the title decider.

‘‘The Lions have got the advantage of playing at home in the final, and that’s big,’’ Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd told News24.

A sellout crowd of more than 60,000 will only increase the size of the assignment in front of the Crusaders.

‘‘The Lions are a quality side and they’ve got great belief in their game ... you saw [on Saturday], they’re a side that never gives up.

‘‘I’m pretty sure they can go all the way. They certainly deserve a final at home,’’ Hurricanes captain Dane Coles said, putting realism ahead of patriotism.

‘‘The crowd were pretty quiet in the first half [on Saturday], but the more the Lions got into the game the more vocal they became and they certainly helped to get their team over the line.

‘‘That home support and the fact that the Crusaders have to travel will play a part.

‘‘That said, the Crusaders, with all their All Black players, are an experienced team and have travelled a lot and will do everything they can to have the best chance to win.’’

Boyd has pinpointed the battle of the forward packs as the crucial factor in the outcome of Sunday’s match.

Boyd felt the Crusaders forwards held the key to their team’s chances.

‘‘The guys with the small numbers on their backs [the forwards] will decide the game,’’ Boyd said.

‘‘The pack that gets the ascendancy will win it ... and it’s sure to be a good contest because both teams have very good packs.’’