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Watch: Combrinck's late 58-metre penalty sends Lions into semis
By Tom Webber
Ruan Combrinck's monster 58-metre penalty in the 78th minute gave the Lions a dramatic 23-21 victory over the Sharks to send them into the Super Rugby semi-finals.
If 2016 runners-up the Lions – who entered the knockout rounds with the best regular-season record – are to make it to the final for a second successive season they will need to overcome the Hurricanes, who beat them in last year's showpiece.
Johan Ackermann's side look destined for defeat as they trailed 14-3 at half-time, Jacobus van Wyk touching down the only try of the opening period for the visitors.
The Lions roared back through Franco Mostert, Jaco Kriel and Lionel Mapoe, but Curwin Bosch converted a score from Daniel du Preez to give the Sharks a one-point lead with 13 minutes remaining.
But Combrinck split the posts from inside his own half in the closing stages to send the Johannesburg side into the final four, where they will come up against a New Zealand franchise for the first time this season.
The Lions are the only team from outside New Zealand in the final four after the Chiefs clinched a 17-11 victory away to the Stormers in Cape Town.
Damian McKenzie kicked four penalties to put Dave Rennie's side ahead, but SP Marais set up a tense finale with a three-pointer just after the hour mark.
The decisive moment came when Shaun Stevenson dived over the line on the right with four minutes remaining, and a trip to the Crusaders now stands between the Chiefs and the final.
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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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