Six-try Lions too strong for Waratahs
The Lions came back from 14-0 down after the Waratahs raced out of the blocks to win their Super Rugby semifinal 44-26 in Johannesburg and set up a repeat of last year’s final.
On that occasion, the Crusaders won 25-17 at Ellis Park. This time, the Lions will be in the Crusaders’ barely adequate back yard.
“What a challenge,” Lions captain Warren Whiteley said of what lies ahead as they chase their first title in their third successive final. “We can’t wait. We know there’s a lot to work on. It’s going to be a big one. But to give yourself a chance . . . of being in a final, that’s what it’s about.”
The Waratahs had moved the ball wide to create tries for flanker Ned Hanigan and fullback Israel Folau inside the first eight minutes. However the Lions turned to their pack to get them rolling forward. Eventually it became one-way traffic as the big Lions forwards took control of the set pieces and at the breakdown.
Hooker Malcolm Marx was at the centre of the Lions’ powerful scrum and rolling maul to score two tries. Flanker Kwagga Smith also had two tries, including the Lions’ first when he burst through two tacklers to begin the comeback midway through the first half.
Winger Aphiwe Dyantyi and his replacement, Courtnall Skosan, also scored, with Dyantyi’s 80m solo effort showing the Lions can produce thrilling as well as grinding tries.
The Waratahs matched the Lions’ three first-half tries when a lineout move enabled prop Tom Robertson to go in a minute from halftime and level the scores at 19-19. That raised hopes of a Waratahs upset.
The Lions shut down those hopes with a run of 18 unanswered points in the second half, taking advantage of a yellow card to replacement hooker Damien Fitzpatrick to score two of their three second-half tries.
The Waratahs have never won a playoff match away from home and came up short, run off their feet and gasping for breath at the high altitude ground.
The Crusaders will be chasing their ninth title, easily the best record since the competition began in 1995.