Can Lions go from chumps to champs?
No team in the history of the Super Rugby competition has travelled abroad and won a final. But, Lions coach Johan Ackermann is having none of that.
|||Difficult, but not impossible. That’s the view of Lions boss Johan Ackermann about his team’s chances of travelling across the Indian Ocean and winning a Super Rugby final in New Zealand this week.
The Lions, almost against the odds, will take on the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday after Ackermann’s men got the better of the Highlanders and last year’s runners-up beat the Chiefs.
No team in the history of the competition has travelled abroad and won a final.
“It’s a one-off game and if we do things right on the day, it’s not impossible,” said an upbeat and proud Ackermann after his team’s win against the Highlanders at a packed Ellis Park on Saturday.
“The Highlanders went to Wellington last year and won, it’s 0-0, it’s a game of rugby. The pressure is all on the Hurricanes, they’re at home; we can just go out there and enjoy the moment, just as we’ve done in the last few weeks, against the Crusaders and Highlanders,” said the coach.
“I believe finals are meant to be and in my view this is a 50/50 game. We’ve got a chance. Yes, we have to travel now but this group of players loves to spend time together, loves to travel together. Last year we won three out of four on the road and this year we won two out of three.
“We’ve taken the harder route to the final, having to get past three New Zealand teams and of course it’s a mighty challenge, but Super Rugby finals don’t come around every day. We have to reset, enjoy the week and give it our all.”
Highlanders captain Ben Smith, who led his team against the Lions on Saturday and also lifted the trophy in Wellington last year, said the Lions stood as good a chance as anyone of winning on Saturday.
“The Lions have shown how well they can play. I don’t think the travel will be a factor. So as long as they get over there, enjoy the week, enjoy the build-up, they’ll have a chance. I know what it’s like going into this final, there will be excitement ... and I know a great battle awaits us. I would have loved to be there again, but the fact is we were beaten by the better team (in the semi-final on Saturday) and I wish them well for the final.”
Ackermann said he was immensely proud of his players, who’ve gone from pretty much nobodies three years ago to being one win away from being crowned Super Rugby champions.
“What can I say ... these are special moments,” said Ackermann after Saturday’s win in front of 51 000 at Ellis Park.
“Three years ago this week, we were playing promotion-relegation against the Kings (after sitting out the 2013 Super Rugby season). Now we’re in a Super Rugby final. I’m stunned, I’m thankful and so proud of the players, my management team and everyone else who’s been part of this ride. Also, thanks to God for his guidance and blessing.”
Meanwhile, a 25-man Lions squad left Johannesburg last night for Wellington and included in the line-up was regular captain Warren Whiteley as well as Sylvian Mahuza, who have been added to the matchday squad of 23 that did duty against the Highlanders.
Ackermann’s only major selection decision before the final will revolve around Whiteley, who’s in a race against time to show he is over a calf injury that kept him out of Saturday’s game.
Asked yesterday what he thought his chances were of being fit for the final, he said, “All I can say is that I will get back as soon as possible.”
The good news though is Ruan Ackermann, who stood in for Whiteley, enjoyed his best outing of the season against the Highlanders and will be in confident mood this week.
Ackermann will name his side on Thursday.
Andries Coetzee, Jaco van der Walt, Sylvian Mahuza, Ruan Combrinck, Courtnall Skosan, Lionel Mapoe, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Howard Mnisi, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Ross Cronje, Warren Whiteley, Ruan Ackermann, Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel, Steph de Witt, Lourens Erasmus, Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira, Julian Redelinghuys, Corne Fourie, Jacques van Rooyen, Dylan Smith, Malcolm Marx, Akker van der Merwe – The Star