Lions have home edge over Crusaders in Super decider
SYDNEY: South Africa’s Golden Lions will have a home advantage as they chase their first Super Rugby crown against seven-time champions Canterbury Crusaders in the season decider after weekend victories.
The Lions stormed back from 22- 3 down late in the first half to claim a 44-29 win over defending champions Wellington Hurricanes to keep the final in Johannesburg next weekend.
The Crusaders, who finished second behind the Lions in the regular season standings, will have to make the trip to South Africa after accounting for New Zealand rivals Waikato Chiefs 27-13 in the other semi- final in Christchurch.
It will be the fourth time a Super Rugby final has been staged in South Africa since 1996.
The Lions will be aiming to give their coach Johan Ackermann a fitting send- off after four rejuvenating years in charge by winning the final at Ellis Park over the benchmark Super Rugby club.
“That’s what I always hoped for, that the day I finished here would be in front of our home fans and on our own field,” said Ackermann, who is leaving to coach English side Gloucester.
“I’m so humbled. This journey has been so special over the last few years with a special bunch of men and they just proved it against the Hurricanes.”
The Lions win was mired in controversy with the disputed yellow- carding of Hurricanes flyhalf and 2016 Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett at a key stage of the semi-final.
While All Blacks playmaker Barrett was in the “sin bin”, the South Africans scored two tries and transformed a seven-point deficit into a 39-29 lead.
South African referee Jaco Peyper judged that after making a tackle, Barrett correctly rolled away, but illegally dragged the ball with him.
However, big- screen replays suggested Barrett accidentally pulled the ball away and was not guilty of a cynical foul. — AFP
That’s what I always hoped for, that the day I finished here would be in front of our home fans and on our own field. Johan Ackermann