Statistical analysis reveals the size of the mountain the Sharks have to scale when they square off against the Lions at Ellis Park in their Super Rugby eliminator on Saturday. The Lions last weekend beat the Sharks in Durban to seal their spot at the top of the points table‚ while the Durban side seemed content‚ if not happy‚ to grab the last qualification spot. They may have dodged a trip to Christchurch‚ but portents for Saturday’s visitors to Ellis Park hardly look encouraging. Not only have the Sharks lost their last five Super Rugby clashes against the Lions‚ but on four of those occasions the margin of defeat exceeded 12 points. Moreover‚ over the past year-and-a-half the Lions have been zealously territorial when visiting teams have emerged from the Ellis Park tunnel. Since their 50-17 thumping by the Hurricanes at the end of April 2016‚ the Lions have been in imperious form at home. They have won 13 straight games racking up 634 points at an average of 48 points per match. ...
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