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WATCH: The last time the Lions won Super Rugby
By RugbyPass
Right now the Super Rugby record book lists the competition winners as follows: Crusaders with seven titles, Blues and Bulls with three each, Chiefs and Brumbies with a pair and the Canes, Tahs, Highlanders and Reds with one.
Except that's not entirely accurate. That's the record from 1996 on, when the professional Super 12 started. Super Rugby had actually been around, in one form or another, for a decade before then. The final of the 1993 Super Ten competition was at the same venue of this weekend's final, and saw the Transvaal Lions defeat Auckland 20-17 to win the title.
Both sides were full of Springbok and All Black players, making it a true showdown between the best provincial sides in the world at the time. Can the 2017 Lions emulate their counterparts from all those years ago?
CREDIT: Real Rugby
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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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