Lions willing to risk all for a win
Thinking out of the box is seen one of the biggest keys to the Lions breaking their losing duck in Super Rugby finals against the Crusaders in Christchurch today.
While most believe the Lions are like the proverbial lambs being led to the slaughter, captain Warren Whiteley believes to take the Crusaders out of their comfort zone they have to improvise.
“We always take risks – that’s who we are,” said Whiteley.
“You have to be willing to tap and go, take a quick lineout, try something new, be innovative – that’s what we are about.”
While it’s the third straight final for the Lions, it’s Whiteley’s second and he is probably in his best shape in a long time.
In 2016 he only returned the week before the Hurricanes final in Wellington. Last year he missed out with a groin injury and this year he missed a large chunk after picking up a knee injury early in the competition.
“Great to be back after the injury, missing out last year and of course part of the 2016 final in Wellington,” he said.
“But we have huge respect for the Crusaders and together with the All Blacks they stand tall in world rugby.”
Whiteley recalled the years of 2014 onwards when they slowly started to make their way up the Super Rugby ladder.
“It’s a great opportunity for us and we are extremely excited. Patience is the key, our first season back in Super Rugby we won seven or eight games, we slowly worked our way up,” he said.
“We started to get confidence and build continuity and especially in SA rugby it’s unheard of to keep a team together for three, four years and that’s indicative of the culture we have.”
Whiteley said similarly the Crusaders look for opportunities all over the place, but said you can’t change the way you play just because it is a final.
“We’ll stick to what we know although we have to be more clinical than in the last two weeks.
“The Crusaders are extremely clinical – they will punish you at any opportunity they get.”
Kick-off: 9.35am