Staying in the contest will be key

You have to be completely biased to give the Lions any sort of chance in tomorrow’s Super Rugby final against the awesome Crusaders in Christchurch.

According to all reports, the Crusaders simply have to pitch up to capture their ninth title, while the Lions have everything counting against them, from intercontinental travel to being rank outsiders.

The argument is simple, if the Lions couldn’t beat the Crusaders at Ellis Park in last year’s final, how on earth could they do it Down Under?

But the key could be the resolve in the Lions outfit, according to former Lions coach Johan Ackermann.

They simply don’t want to quit and if they keep pushing and fighting without the scoreboard running away from them could be the key, said Ackermann this week.

“What makes the Crusaders so good is their experience, they start with a front row like Joe Moody, Owen Franks and Codey Taylor, all All Blacks.

“And then (Sam) Whitelock who is very experienced and Kieran Read, while the other Barrett brother (Scott) has already played for the All Blacks. In the context of age he is young but he is experienced.”

Ackermann continued: “And then you sit with their backs who have just played Test rugby, guys like their flyhalf (Richie Mo’Unga), centre Jack Goodhue, and George Bridge is very good.

“So they are a well-balanced side, but what the Sharks experienced (in the quarterfinals) is that their set phases are very sound. They have the self-belief that they can counter any situation and they pounce on any mistake. They are the team with the best hit-ratio in the 22,” he said.

The Lions are probably better suited to take on the Crusaders up front than any other team with hooker Malcolm Marx and his raw power rated as the best in the world in his position with the assistance of flank Cyle Brink and the fitness of a player like Kwagga Smith could just push the Crusaders out of their comfort zone.

“But I do believe some teams have exposed some weak points in their armoury and I believe the Lions are a team that could exploit that,” said Ackermann.

The fact that the Lions had to travel through 10 time zones would also not exactly count in their favour, but that’s why their bench could probably hold the biggest key.

But only if the Lions don’t lose sight on the scoreboard.