Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Cronje hails rampant Lions: We showed what we can do

The Lions celebrate their final try against the Hurricanes

Lions scrum-half Ross Cronje felt his team reached the level they had been aiming for all year as a stunning second-half display sent the South African franchise into the Super Rugby final at the expense of the Hurricanes.

ADVERTISEMENT

A repeat of the 2016 final looked highly likely to end in another Hurricanes triumph when the visitors to Johannesburg charged into a 22-3 lead during the first half on Saturday.

However, the Lions reduced the deficit just before the interval through Jacques van Rooyen and then ran in five tries during a remarkably one-sided second half to triumph 44-29.

Referencing the Lions’ sloppy performance in a narrow quarter-final victory over the Sharks, man of the match Cronje said during the post-match presentation: “We came out here and had something to prove from last week. I really believe in the second half we played the type of rugby that we as the Lions have been striving to play throughout this whole season.”

Cronje insisted he and his team-mates had not required a dressing down at half-time.

“[There were] no stern words – there was always that belief in the team,” he added.

“The coach [Johan Ackermann] just revved us up at half-time and the boys went out there and really showed what we can do.”

Hurricanes skipper Dane Coles had no complaints over the end result as his side’s title defence was brought to an end.

ADVERTISEMENT

The All Blacks hooker said: “We just didn’t come out and do what we did in that first half. They got a bit of momentum on and they took it right to us.

“We gave it everything we got and unfortunately we came up short. The better team won on the day.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 22 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

41 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith' Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'
Search