Northern Edition

Select Edition

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

WATCH: Hurricanes blown away as Lions storm into Super Rugby final

The Lions and the Hurricanes do battle in Johannesburg

The Hurricanes hopes of retaining their Super Rugby title were dashed in stunning fashion on Saturday as the Lions pulled off a sensational comeback to triumph 44-29 in their semi-final in Johannesburg.

ADVERTISEMENT

After an Elton Jantjies penalty had edged the Lions in front early on, the visitors ran up 22 unanswered points to seize control against the side they beat in last year’s final.

However, Jacques van Rooyen went over late in the first half to give hope to the South African franchise, who had required a 78th-minute penalty against the Sharks to make the last four.

The Lions then dominated an astonishing second period, scoring a further five tries to gain sweet revenge over the Hurricanes and book a home final against the Crusaders.

The Hurricanes looked to be on their way to a hugely convincing victory when TJ Perenara and Ardie Savea claimed opportunist tries either side of Wes Goosen rounding off a flowing move that saw Beauden Barrett produce a trademark surge through the opposition defence.

Both Perenara and Savea pounced on loose balls to score, the former twice kicking ahead before diving on the ball for the game’s opening try.

Van Rooyen’s converted score reduced the Lions’ deficit to 12 points at the break, but few could have predicted what was to follow.

ADVERTISEMENT

After Ross Cronje had sneaked over from close range, hooker Malcolm Marx was driven over from a maul to level the score, Jantjies hitting the post with the subsequent conversion attempt.

The Hurricanes, suddenly subdued having thrown the ball around with typical flair for much of the first period, were initially able to respond as Nehe Milner-Skudder put Ngani Laumape over in the right corner and Jordie Barrett added the extras.

Yet Beauden Barrett was then sin-binned for not rolling away and the Lions took advantage by moving ahead for the first time, Jantjies kicking his second penalty before Harold Vorster glided through a huge gap in the Canes’ under-manned defence.

Jordie Barrett missed a kick that would have levelled the score and two further home tries put the game to bed – Jantjies and Kwagga Smith rounding off a stunning afternoon for the Lions.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://twitter.com/Hurricanesrugby/status/891300907652075521

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 31 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
TRENDING
TRENDING Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea
Search