THE LIONS ENSURED there would be more than one nation represented in Super Rugby’s semi-finals as they defeated the Crusaders in convincing fashion in Johannesburg.
The Christchurch side were hoping to make it a third Kiwi team in the final four, but fell to a 42 -25 loss in South Africa.
South Africa’s top-ranked side powered themselves to a 15 – 0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes. Courtnall Skosan shocking the visitors with a first-minute 55 metre sprint down the left wing to the try line.
Luke Romano’s fourth-minute yellow card didn’t help matters either and Rohan Janse van Rensburg grounded before Elton Janjies needed to knock over his first penalty of the game.
Richie Mo’unga got the visitors off the mark with a 20th minute penalty and Ryan Crotty crossed, but at altitude the Crusaders never quite looked capable of reeling the Lions all the way in. And, sure enough, Malcolm Marx underlined the home side’s dominance with a try to make the score 22 – 10 at the break.
Crusaders, who are the most successful Kiwi side when playing away in South Africa, managed to reduce the deficit to eight points thanks to Mo’unga’s kicking and a try from Mitchell Drummond. But the Lions didn’t take long to reach for the extra gears.
Ruan Combrinck, so effective for the Springboks against Ireland at the same venue last month, grounded his try with 12 minutes on the clock and Ross Cronje put the result beyond all doubt before Ben Volavola claimed a consolation before the Crusaders’ season ended.
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