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STAT ATTACK: The numbers behind today's Super Rugby final
By Peter Thompson
The Lions will have the backing of a record crowd when they go in search of a first Super Rugby title against a Crusaders side on the brink of being crowned champions for an eighth time on Saturday.
Ellis Park is set to be packed to the rafters, with 62,000 fans – the biggest ever Super Rugby attendance – expected for what promises to be a gripping showdown between two sides that have lost only once this season.
The Lions were beaten by the Hurricanes in the final last year and it would be a dream send-off for Gloucester-bound coach Johan Ackermann if they can heal those wounds by winning at their home ground.
The Crusaders will be looking to rip up the script by ending their nine-year wait to win the competition.
Here are a selection of the statistics and facts relating to the final:
17 - You have to go back 17 years for the last time a team won a Super Rugby final played outside their own country. It was the Crusaders who achieved that feat in 2000, travelling to Australia to edge out the Brumbies 20-19.
7 - The Crusaders have been crowned Super Rugby champions on seven occasions and have featured in 11 finals in total, both records in the competition.
14 - The Lions head into the final on the back of a 14-game winning streak; the Crusaders are the only team in Super Rugby history to have won more games in succession with 15 straight from 2002 to 2003; and 16 in a row between 2005 and 2006.
9 - South African teams have won nine of their last 12 finals fixtures at home against New Zealand opposition.
2 - The Christchurch-based Crusaders have lost their last two finals, only the Sharks (four) have lost more than two in a row when reaching the final.
5 - The Crusaders won all five games outside New Zealand this season, scoring an average of 43 points per match in the process.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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