THE FINAL WHISTLE
MARK KEOHANE: Super Rugby dice loaded for Lions home quarterfinal
Home country advantage is overwhelming, with New Zealand’s crusaders the only team to win a final in another country, writes Mark Keohane
The great teams turn league form into play-off finals triumphs. The very good and good find comfort in league performances but endure heartache in the lack of silverware. This is the story of the Stormers in Super Rugby. The men from Cape Town statistically remain SA’s most successful franchise when it comes to league form (53.7% from 259 matches) but the transfer of an imposing league reputation has invariably lacked with just one Championship final appearance. The Bulls are SA’s most celebrated Super Rugby Franchise with three titles and the Sharks are the nearly men of the competition, with three finals’ defeats. The Lions are the form South African franchise, with 2016 being the apex in their competition history. They won more games than in any season, scored more tries and beat four of the New Zealand five franchises. But they fell short in a final played against the Hurricanes in New Zealand. The Kiwis have dominated the competition with 14 title wins in 21 years and seven-tim...
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