SF - Lions v Highlanders

Provincial Stalwart

Lions are really fucking good. Not exactly a racially transformed team but their game has the potential to transform the Boks if some of that talent is managed correctly. Obviously I'm pushing a tenuous link between Super form and test match rugby but the raw material is there.
 
I'd watch the Lions any time. That early second half try where Jantjes broke from deep and put Skosan in was pure magic.
 
Hard to know whether the Landers or Chiefs played worse in their semi. Landers put in two terrible shifts in the finals.

nonpartizan

Credit where its due, that was an excellent performance from Jantjies. The kick-pass for the try was beautifully weighted. 
 
Highlanders didn't play that poorly in my opinion but I feel they lacked concentration and intensity. They seemed very lethargic.

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="601766" data-time="1469890145">
<div>
Monday I reckon. CF Snr has a ticket spare but I have to be at work on the Sunday morning. I'm not sure I can resist the lure of seeing us finally lifting the crown but I was there last season and it was hard to see us fall. If we lose to the Lions it will be more gutting
</div>
</blockquote>
It will be Tuesday lunchtime again, I suppose. Have to give time for tickets to be snapped up by members and clubs.

hydro11

From watching those highlights, the Highlanders just fell off a lot of tackles. They just seemed a bit tired. Dropping the ball over the line and giving away an intercept never helps.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="601778" data-time="1469903379">Lions are really fucking good. Not exactly a racially transformed team but their game has the potential to transform the Boks if some of that talent is managed correctly. Obviously I'm pushing a tenuous link between Super form and test match rugby but the raw material is there. 
 
I'd watch the Lions any time. That early second half try where Jantjes broke from deep and put Skosan in was pure magic. 
 
Hard to know whether the Landers or Chiefs played worse in their semi. Landers put in two terrible shifts in the finals. </blockquote>
 
Think I saw something saying they are the least transformed?

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="601783" data-time="1469908243">
<div>
From watching those highlights, the Highlanders just fell off a lot of tackles. They just seemed a bit tired. Dropping the ball over the line and giving away an intercept never helps.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
They looked fatigued. One long flight too many I think - just basic handling errors, slippin tackles and mis-reading. At that level you don't have to be far off your best to get smashed.
 
Backed up my call - tip against the people with major travel!

cgrant

The travel schedule was too hard for the Highlanders and it was easy to see it right from the start. Moreover, I think Lentjes' selection over Christie was a mistake. He slipped too many tackles and was not physical enough for this level. However, congrats to the Lions who played great rugby. Their attitude is really positive compared to those of the other SA provinces. Jaco Kriel is a monster and if Van Rensburg plays for the Springboks, I hope he will have to face George Moala. He just ran over Crotty and Fekitoa.

Gunner

Watching this on replay now. 
The Lions getting away with allsorts at the rucks. Slowing the ball down, coming in from all angles. 
Doesn't help that the Highlanders can't scrum or tackle either.

No Quarter

Caught a replay while entertaining my boy so only had half an eye on the game, but Lions very much deserved winners. They scored some fantastic tries, they are a very enjoyable team to watch. 
Jantjies was fricken outstanding, the most naturally attacking 10 I can remember from SA, would expect him to be starting for the Boks in the RC if they know what is good for them. I'm a big fan. 
Bring on the final. If this game was being played in SA then I'd be picking the Lions. But going all the way to NZ to play a Canes team that is simply on fire is a huge ask. 
Two best teams are in the final and if they both play to their potential we are going to have an absolutely cracking game.

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="601807" data-time="1469917867">Caught a replay while entertaining my boy so only had half an eye on the game, but Lions very much deserved winners. They scored some fantastic tries, they are a very enjoyable team to watch. 
Jantjies was fricken outstanding, the most naturally attacking 10 I can remember from SA, would expect him to be starting for the Boks in the RC if they know what is good for them. I'm a big fan. 
Bring on the final. If this game was being played in SA then I'd be picking the Lions. But going all the way to NZ to play a Canes team that is simply on fire is a huge ask. 
Two best teams are in the final and if they both play to their potential we are going to have an absolutely cracking game.</blockquote>If one team plays to potential I'll be happy

kiwiinmelb

While a loss isnt so surprising and disappointing , to be so comprehensively outplayed was, Still not convinced Dixon is a test level loosie , has had a lot of good press from the media the last 12 months ,just not convinced the onfield stuff actually matches the hype, I would be selecting Luatua ahead of him personally

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="601822" data-time="1469924010">
<div>
While a loss isnt so surprising and disappointing , to be so comprehensively outplayed was, 
Still not convinced Dixon is a test level loosie , has had a lot of good press from the media the last 12 months ,just not convinced the onfield stuff actually matches the hype, 
I would be selecting Luatua ahead of him personally
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Yeah, to me it seems like him, Squire and Luatua are fighting for two spots. I'd say that Luatua had already done enough to get in, and I wondered if Squite might go. After that game, probably Elliot is first on the block - he hasn't been playing very well since coming back from the ABs.

booboo

Never saw what everybody else has seen in Elliott. However one game doesn't mean you're complete cactus.

taniwharugby

only seen extended highlights, but jeez there was some very poor d by the Highlanders, some pretty horrid attempts at tackles.
 
That said, I think it is good for the game to have these 2 teams in the final, regardless what happens, we will have a new champion. and if the Lions do get up, they will also be the first non NZ team to win away from home too (I think that is the case) 
 
But go Canes!

cgrant

Dixon had a mare. Too nightmarish to be true. I think he is better than that. But his display on the day could play against him cometh the time.
Squire did not disgrace himself and made the hard yards. But will he be selected as he is only a bench warmer at the Highlanders ?

Billy Tell

So sayeth ye.

Rancid Schnitzel

Watching that game was like watching any test from Joburg when the Boks seem to be full of juice and throw the ball around, kick 60 odd metres and just do some freakish shit. Thankfully the abs usually ride that out but the Landers just weren't in it. Lethargic is the word. The urgency just wasn't there. 
What I still don't understand is how Dixon just dropped the ball over the line. That could have changed the game. 
Faddes has always looked like a bloke selected out of the crowd and he sure played like it last night.

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="601891" data-time="1469947523">Dixon had a mare. Too nightmarish to be true. I think he is better than that. But his display on the day could play against him cometh the time. Squire did not disgrace himself and made the hard yards. But will he be selected as he is only a bench warmer at the Highlanders ?</blockquote> Cane used to get selected when he was mostly a bench warmer at the Chiefs

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="601861" data-time="1469931571">
<div>
Never saw what everybody else has seen in Elliott. However one game doesn't mean you're complete cactus.
</div>
</blockquote>
Yeah I'm in the same boat. I think he's alright, I just don't rate him anywhere near as highly as others. I suppose having cult hero status like he does tends to help your cause a bit.

pakman

Lions worthy winners.
However, on watching the replay the Clan weren't that bad overall. Halftime score of 17-6 could have been 10-11 but for a big missed tackle by Whitelock in the lead up to the second try and the Dixon drop. Whitelock badly missed Jantjes on way to Skosan try although cancelled out (but not conversion) by soft Faddes response. 25-11. Then another bad missed tackle, this time by Dixon led to Kriel try. 35-11 but on another day might have been 20-16 at that stage. Game lost shape at that stage (about 65) with heavy Lions substitutions. 
Naholo and Ben Smith were excellent. Sopoaga also very good. Faddes very mediocre and Aaron Smith ran out of gas mid second half. In forwards Hohneck struggled, and Clan generally overpowered. Elliot Dixon excellent in lineouts but a shocker elsewhere. Greg Pleasant-Tate and Squire added real go forward and mongrel when they arrived.
My money's on the Canes.

The Silver Fern

SF - Lions v Highlanders