‘WE CAN DO IT’
DE BRUIN: WE JUST HAVE TO GO THERE AND DO A JOB
Smith has made peace with his red card in 2017 final.
They are a good side – but so are we. It is this mindset that best summed up the Lions state of mind according to star flanker Kwagga Smith before the were set to fly out last night for the Super Rugby final in Christchurch against the Crusaders this weekend.
“Everyone is making a big fuss about them so all we can do is focus on us and not be too concerned on what they can bring,” said Smith who was named Manof-the-Match in the 44-26 semifi- nal win over the Waratahs at Ellis Park over the weekend.
“I’m privileged enough to play in another final, and for some guys it’s their third final in a row, so for me it’s just about going out there and do the best I can for the team.
“Winning Super Rugby is one of my dream goals ... and to go and do it down there will be the best experience,” he said, adding that becoming a Springbok against Wales this year had also been a lifelong ambition.
Smith’s red card in last year’s final at Ellis Park when the Lions lost 25-17 to the Crusaders is still fresh in his memory but said it’s not for him about making amends.
“Last year I had the opportunity and I slipped up, but this is another chance. To go there and win we will have to believe in ourselves and just go and do our job. They are a good team but we are a pretty good team,” he said.
Smith admitted the week after that fateful final was a difficult time for him.
“But I got away. We have a farm between Lydenburg and Orighstad and I got away from all the rugby people. For me it wasn’t cynical and not something I did intentionally. It’s moments like that in a final which makes all the difference,” he said.
Smith said they are also well aware that the Crusaders tend to suffocate teams with their defence.
“They are a good defensive side, probably the best. We are also good, we had soft moments but it was rather individual moments,” he said.
“In the final it will be about taking those opportunities and take it away from them, finish our tackles and attack them.”
The Crusaders proud play-off record at their Christchurch home is a daunting prospect, but Lions coach Swys de Bruin said none of his players would have boarded the plane if they didn’t believed they could pull it off.
Facing a gargantuan task, De Bruin yesterday named a squad of 25 players for the final just prior to them embarking on their long flight from OR Tambo last night.
Wing Aphiwe Dyantyi was cleared from his hamstring twinge as well as flanker Cyle Brink with his arm injury after both players were put through tough fitness tests.
De Bruin said the Crusaders’ 20-match unbeaten run in home play-offs is impressive, but said they have done their homework to give the side a fair chance to be challenging for a first triumph after falling at the final hurdle the past two years.
“It makes the challenge just so much bigger. Looking forward to it, it is a fantastic record, but we had 21 SA wins and we lost against the Sharks,” he said.
With indications that the temperature would drop to 6° Celsius with windy and wet conditions likely, De Bruin said they will also face other hostile factors.
“Like us they have a very good back-up system with their supporters, they are very vocal, they sit very close to the ground, they make a big noise there,” he said.
“And it’s very tough for the officials to stay in the moment. I just hope and pray they do, then it’ll be a good game, I’m sure of it.
“They are a good side but often they get away with stuff other sides don’t, like the off-side line and we will have a chat with the officials about that,” he said.
De Bruin admitted they might be at a disadvantage with the travel factor, but doesn’t want to cry over spilled milk.
“Luckily I’ve been with this group for five, six years and we have beaten teams in Australia and New Zealand. The win over Chiefs in Hamilton (in 2016) was a good example,” he said.
“We can’t leave on this plane if we think we are just going to have a game, you’ve got to get on that plane to go and do a job.
“It’s tough down there but it’s tough all over if you don’t want to play. It’s just as tough at Newlands and Loftus Versfeld.”