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Lions v Sharks: The Hard Numbers

The Lions’ Jaco Kriel

The tides have turned in recent seasons with the Lions now dominating a fixture that used to be a doddle for the Sharks. Having breezed past the Sharks at home in the final round robin fixture last weekend, the numbers suggest we can expect nothing other than victory for the number one seeds.

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Cast your gaze over some notable numbers ahead of the weekend…

  • The Lions have won the last five meetings between these teams, after earning just two wins and a draw from their 13 clashes prior. This will also be the first time these teams have met in the Finals.
  • The Lions have won their last 12 games on the bounce, a 13th win would be the longest winning streak ever by a South African team, eclipsing the 12-game streak set by the Bulls across 2009 and 2010.
  • The Sharks have scored just 12 points in their last three Finals fixtures away from home, including a tally of zero when they traveled to Wellington in last season’s quarter-finals.
  • The Sharks have slotted 47 penalty goals this season, no other side landed more than 31.
  • Ruan Combrinck is set to line up for his 50th Super Rugby cap; he has scored five tries in his last four games for the Lions.
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Nickers 26 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.

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