The last thing the Lions should do in the build-up to their Super Rugby semifinal against the Hurricanes at Ellis Park on Saturday is look at their record against the defending champs. They have not beaten the Hurricanes since 2007‚ boasting just one win at Ellis Park over the team from Wellington. More recent history has been as damning. The Lions lost away to the Canes in atrocious conditions in the 2016 final, but the game that will resonate more occurred in the league stages at Ellis Park in 2016. Then, the Lions’ inability to assert themselves at the ruck cost them dearly as they were crushed 50-17. Back-rowers Ardie Savea and Victor Vito ran amok‚ while Brad Shields‚ a lock-cum-flank‚ was brutish in cleaning up the rucks‚ an element Lions assistant coach John Plumtree has already recognised as integral to the Hurricanes battle plan on Saturday. The Lions are well aware of their shortcomings that humiliating evening. The Canes applied a suffocating defence and rattled the hosts...
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