Lions on hunt for points in Durban

Key game against Sharks for Joburg side to ensure home advantage in playoffs

THE Lions have a big job to do in Durban this weekend if they have any hope of finishing with the most points across all Super Rugby logs, to ensure home advantage for the duration of the playoffs.

Standing in the way of the Lions are the Sharks tomorrow – and New Zealand’s Crusaders‚ who have 63 points to the Lions’ 61 in the overall Super Rugby log standings.

The top two sides are guaranteed the highest two seeds going into the playoffs, but the Lions would prefer not to travel to Christchurch, New Zealand, for a final.

Last year, the Lions missed out on the overall top place and had to travel to Wellington to face the Hurricanes in the final after impressive home-playoff wins against the Crusaders and Highlanders.

They did not really emerge from the blocks in the final and were left to rue what might have been, had the showpiece been played at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

This year, there is a good chance history could repeat itself after the Lions took a ‘B team’ to Argentina to play the Jaguares earlier this season and lost. They did exactly the same last year and it cost them a better shot at the title.

So, the Johannesburg franchise will be hoping the Hurricanes can do them a favour tomorrow.

By the time the Lions take to the field at Kings Park‚ they will already know if they can still finish ahead of the Kiwi team from Christchurch, or not.

And then it will be up to the Lions to finish the job.

The Crusaders are in action earlier in the day, in a huge all-New Zealand derby against the Hurricanes in the capital, Wellington.

As far as the Lions are concerned‚ that is great news, because the Hurricanes have a lot to play for against the Crusaders.

Defeat would mean the Hurricanes would have to travel to South Africa to face the Stormers in the quarterfinals at Newlands, while a win would mean a shorter trip to Canberra to take on the Brumbies.

From a travel and form perspective‚ the Brumbies clash is a more appealing assignment for the defending champions.

The fact that they have thrown all their returning All Blacks into the match, suggests that coach Chris Boyd does not fancy a trip to Cape Town this season. Flyhalf Beauden Barrett‚ flank Ardie Savea‚ scrumhalf TJ Perenara‚ centre Ngani Laumape‚ fullback Jordie Barrett and wing Julian Savea – who all featured for the All Blacks in the 15-15 drawn third test against the British and Irish Lions last week – return for the ‘Canes.

It is an impressive cavalry to throw at the Crusaders, who have also brought back some All Black stars – but, interestingly, are resting some key players as well.

The entire All Black front row of Owen Franks‚ Cody Taylor and Joe Moody have been omitted from the starting lineup of the Crusaders, after medical advice.

Kiwi doctors suggested that the three players‚ who started in each of the three tests against the Lions‚ should be rested.

Coach Scott Robertson obliged‚ again underlining how the New Zealand franchises put the national All Blacks team first.

But the Crusaders will include fullback Israel Dagg‚ No 8 Kieran Read and locks Scott Barrett and Luke Romano‚ who were all involved against the British and Irish Lions.

The omission of the key Kiwi forwards, swings the balance of the match in favour of the Hurricanes.

And perhaps the overall title the way of the Lions?