Lions out to end losing streak
It’s been a long time since the Wellington Lions won their last Premiership title, and the unfortunate truth is they are accustomed to losing NPC rugby finals.
Wellington travel to Nelson on a run of outs, to play Tasman, who have never won the Mitre 10 Cup, this evening.
Wellington have appeared in five losing National Provincial Championship finals under the new format – in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2013. The last time they won was in 2000.
While the bookies have Tasman as favourites, Wellington captain Du’Plessis Kirifi says his side has something up its sleeve.
‘‘Look at Tasman, they have been the gold standard all season. No-one has really pushed them to the limits,’’ he said.
‘‘Going in to the final a lot of people would be putting their money on Tasman, but in saying that I don’t think we would be here if we didn’t think we had a
At a glance
Mitre 10 Cup Premiership final
Who: Tasman v Wellington When, where: Trafalgar Park, Nelson; 6.05pm tonight shot. You look at their team list, one to 15 – even their boys that come off the bench are Super Rugby players.
‘‘They’ve got an awesome team so they work hard together and get the job done week in and week out.’’
The Mako stretched their winning streak in 2019 to 11 to ensure favouritism for the final, after last week beating defending champions Auckland 18-9 in Blenheim.
Wellington beat Canterbury 30-19 in last week’s semifinal so will be taking that confidence to Trafalgar Park.
‘‘I’m not surprised [to be in the final]. The whole reason you play is to win – it’s all about winning and at the start of the season this is the goal we had in mind.’’
Tasman have been in three finals since being promoted and have lost all three.
History meant nothing either side, Kirifi said.
‘‘It’s the biggest game this season so there’s always going to be some nerves, but you just do your best to push those down and just focus on the job at hand.’’
After getting battered by Canterbury, the Lions have had more recovery sessions and light trainings.
Lions head coach Chris Gibbes had told his players the final was a matter of ‘‘just nailing our jobs and implementing the game plan that we have put in place,’’ Kirifi said.
Gibbes said a win would come from Wellington playing to their strengths, but it would take a ‘‘little bit of luck’’, as all finals rugby did. to