VIDEO ANALYSIS: Crusaders dominance vs Lions workrate

As the final game of the 2017 season approaches, we’ve reached the pinnacle of southern hemisphere club rugby. After 134 matches, we look at a few of the most recent, in preparation for the final.

The initial portion of our video concerns one of the first ports of call for any coach. The battle in the tight five, an area where any team can win or lose any game, will once again play a pivotal role in determining the outcome on Saturday.

Both teams have demonstrated their ability to construct solid, efficient platforms for play from the set piece. In our first few clips we see both teams win impressive penalties at the scrum. The winner of these battles will have a solid foothold in the game, and a massive advantage in terms of momentum.

Whether they succeed at the scrum or not, we can be assured the Crusaders will bring some form of the dominance they’ve displayed so far to Ellis Park.

In their two playoff games so far they’ve contended with brutal conditions in a wet and windy Christchurch. Not even the torrential downpour during their quarter final date with the Highlanders hampered their takeover of the ruck.

In our first clip we see the Crusaders drive through phase after phase without any fear of losing possession. Controlled and targeted power in the forwards allows them to trundle on and squeeze past a helpless Highlanders defence and over the line.

Again in the following video, this time against the Chiefs and from a line out, they control the game through their tight five. Rolling a maul from the base they angle it slowly but assuredly toward the posts, opening up the space for the planned dart at the corner.

Moments like this can change games, and the attitude the two teams bring to the forward packs and seemingly impending Crusaders strength will shape the result.

If the Canterbury outfit travel to Johannesburg with the same dominant pack as we’ve seen so far, the Lions will have a problem on their hands. That being said, with conditions unlikely to be anywhere near those of Christchurch, the Lions won’t lie down.

They certainly haven’t done so thus far, they roared back in the second half last week to book their place in the final and our next clip shows a perfect example of the work rate that saw them do it.

As the Lions career down the wing, they look hell bent on scoring. So much so that when the ball is intercepted they’re all over it so quickly and so ferociously that they concede a penalty.

While a penalty might appear to be a negative, over the course of the game they can afford the lapse in discipline in exchange for momentum. Every time they slow or disrupt the ball at ruck time they impede their opposition’s attempts to score.

We’ve seen that the Crusaders can be relentless and dominant, but they've dealt with nothing like the energy the Lions brought to the breakdown against the Hurricanes. If the Lions can get a grip on the breakdown they’ll burst the Crusaders’ bubble and hope to enjoy the looser game they’re so good at.

Given the fact the Crusaders’ defence is near watertight, it seems that the more chaotic the attack the more suited the Lions are to this game.

Our first clip shows how the South African’s can use their speed to barrel through the line when it’s not fully set.

Jantjies is quick enough to feed Kriel while he still has room to aim an angled run at a smaller back, before forward cover arrives. There’s nothing Bosch can do for the Sharks and they concede to the quickness of the Lions’ reset.

In complete contrast is our next clip. We look back to New Zealand and the Crusaders’ semi final. Everywhere they go the Chiefs are hounded by red jerseys.

Unlike the last clip, the balance of reset times is completely in favour of the defence here. The home side are faster, more aware, and a step ahead their visitors. This allows them to apply so much pressure that they score a try with defence, not attack.

Sadly for the rest of Super Rugby however, the Crusaders are neither one sided or predictable. All they need is a sniff of opportunity and their heads up rugby is clinical enough to kill off any team.

On paper and on video there’s nothing between the two teams. We know where the battle will be, it’s up to the players to fight it.