The Crusaders cruised to a ninth Vodacom Super Rugby title with a memorable 37-18 victory over the Lions in Saturday's final in Christchurch.
In the end, the Crusaders claimed the win that was widely expected in a memorable final, but one where the Lions were ultimately unable to match the power and precision of the home side.
For the Lions, it's a third successive runners-up finish, and although they battled bravely for large stages of the title decider on Saturday, there was simply no stopping the peerless Crusaders.
Beautiful weather conditions greeted the players in Christchurch, and the Lions made early use of some handy possession, with Ruan Combrinck producing one scything break – although it ultimately came to nought.
The Lions would open the scoring when Elton Jantjies slotted a 13th-minute penalty, but this was quickly cancelled out when opposite number Richie Mo’unga slotted a three-pointer of his own soon after.
The Crusaders then delivered a demonstration of their clinical ability with ball in hand as Seta Tamanivalu was put away for a try in the corner just before the quarter-hour mark.
It signaled a momentum shift, with Mo'unga converting a second penalty before the Crusaders flyhalf then created a superb try finished off by David Havili, which suddenly sent the hosts soaring into a 17-point lead just before the break.
In that context, it was crucial for the Lions to make the first meaningful strike in the second half, and they did just that when Cyle Brink showed all his strength to score an important try in the 53rd minute.
However, the Crusaders quickly cancelled that try out as some superb interplay enabled Mitchell Drummond to go over under the posts just on the hour mark.
There was a brief moment of hope for the Lions when Crusaders centre Ryan Crotty was then sent to the sin bin, with Malcolm Marx scoring for the visitors soon after.
It was ultimately in vain, though, with the Saders again turning on the style for Scott Barrett to score another try that sent the hosts into an unassailable lead and to a ninth Super Rugby title.
Scorers: Crusaders 37 (20): Tries: Seta Tamanivalu, David Havili, Mitchell Drummond, Scott Barrett. Conversions: Richie Mo’unga (4). Penalties: Mo’unga (3).
Lions 18 (6): Tries: Cyle Brink, Malcolm Marx. Conversion: Elton Jantjies. Penalties: Jantjies (2). – African News Agency (ANA
