Sunwolves more like lambs as Lions slaughter visitors

Lions 94 Sunwolves 7 WELL, that was a massacre! A hiding was always on the cards, but not even the most confident Lions supporter could have imagined the beating the Lions would inflict on the Sunwolves at Ellis Park yesterday.

In their first game back after the June international break, the Lions ran in 14 tries to just the one of the Sunwolves in a game where the home team dominated from start to finish.

It was certainly one of the most one-sided Super Rugby matches in history, with the only area of the game where the visitors came up trumps being the number of tackles made and missed. For the rest, the Lions completely dominated proceedings.

With the win the Lions closed the gap on the log-leading Crusaders to just two points, with both teams having one game to play in the regular season. Neither side will be in action this coming weekend as the New Zealanders are still busy with the British and Irish Lions tour, while the Lions have a bye.

But on the last weekend of the regular season, the Crusaders will visit the Hurricanes and the Lions will visit the Sharks to determine who finishes top of the pile after 15 matches. That team will have the benefit of playing at home in the play-offs and give themselves the best chance of going all the way. Right now the Crusaders have 63 log points while the Lions have 61. It’s all to play for on the final weekend.

There were, understandably and obviously, several stars of the Lions team last night, starting up front with Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira, and the loose-trio of Ruan Ackermann, Kwagga Smith and new skipper Jaco Kriel, and at the back Elton Jantjies, Lionel Mapoe, Courtnall Skosan and Ruan Combrinck. And, from the bench, Faf de Klerk, who slotted in at flyhalf in the second half and produced a stunning performance.

The home team produced a sensational display of attacking rugby, running at the Sunwolves from all parts leading to the 14 tries.

Coach Johan Ackermann wanted an emphatic performance after the June Test break and he got it. Able to pick several in-form Springbok players, who were also on song against France in the three-test series, Ackermann’s men kicked on from where they left off at the end of May and are now well on their way to being a real contender in the play-offs.

The Southern Kings came from 25-14 down just after halftime in Buenos Aires to snatch a fifth victory of the season, 31-30, and leave the Jaguares ruing some poor place-kicking