Lions

'In your face' approach in store for Crusaders

Buoyed by news they will play in front of a sellout crowd of 62,000 at Ellis Park, the Lions have their sights set on becoming the competition's second South African champions when they host the decider on Sunday morning.

Standing in the way of the overall top qualifiers are the New Zealand conference-winning Crusaders, who share the same 16 win-one loss record this season.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann is adamant his team mustn't depart from the expansive methods that have taken them to successive finals.

Lions loosies dream big

The Lions host the seven-time champion Crusaders in the Super Rugby title match in Johannesburg on Sunday morning (NZ time), looking to lift the silverware for the first time.

Having pulled off a remarkable comeback semifinal win over the champion Hurricanes at Ellis Park last weekend, No 8 Ackermann said the quick turnaround meant the enormity of the occasion was still sinking in.

Mo'unga readies for Lions

The Crusaders first five-eighth embarrassed the Chiefs winger when he dislodged the ball from his grasp in the 49th minute of the Super Rugby semifinal at Christchurch's AMI Stadium, forcing it to ping into the hands of Israel Dagg and guaranteeing him one of the easiest tries of his career.

Some commentators suggested Mo'unga, having failed in his first attempt to tackle Lowe a split-second earlier, had timed his second lunge to perfection because he instinctively knew his opponent was going to shape to kick off his powerful left foot.

Not exactly, admits Mo'unga.

Ackermann departs with home final

The Lions put a poor first half behind them to beat the Wellington Hurricanes 44-29 in their semi-final at Ellis Park on Saturday, setting up a grandstand finish for Ackermann before he leaves for English side Gloucester at the end of the campaign.

"It's amazing, I'm grateful and it's still unreal," an emotional Ackermann told reporters.

"That's what I always hoped for, that the day I finished here would be in front of our home fans and on our own field.

Hurricanes succumb to Lions

Up 22-3 just before the halftime break, but the Lions found their rhythm in the second half to set up a showdown with the Crusaders in Johannesburg next weekend.

It ended an eight match losing streak for the Lions against the Hurricanes, including last season's Super Rugby final when they were beaten 20-3 in Wellington.

It also extends the stay of Gloucester-bound Lions coach Johan Ackermann for one more game, when he will have the chance to end his four-year stay by helping them become just the second South African team, after the Bulls, to lift the Super Rugby trophy.

Lions desperate to overcome history against Hurricanes

The Lions have lost their last eight games home and away to the New Zealand side, including a 20-3 defeat in last year's Super Rugby final in Wellington, and a humbling 50-17 home loss in the 2016 regular season.

That heavy defeat was the last time the South Africans were beaten at their Ellis Park fortress, amassing a winning run of 14 games since, that almost came to an end against the Sharks in the quarter-finals last weekend.

Lions claim top spot

The Lions beat the Sharks 27-10 in Durban this morning to leap frog the Crusaders into the top spot.

The Crusaders unbeaten run this season came to an abrupt end in Wellington last night after being beaten by an under-strength Hurricanes side 31-22.

The Hurricanes turned around a 12-7 half time deficit to record their 12th win of the season, cementing their spot in second on the New Zealand conference.

Arrested Lions player says sorry

Tighthead Sinckler, 24, was returned to his upmarket hotel in a police car hours early on Sunday after police attended an incident involving "minor disorder" in central Auckland.

"A male was placed under arrest but was not charged after further inquiries established that the incident did not warrant prosecution," police said.

It is understood the incident took place on Galway St in central Auckland about 3am.

Hours earlier the 122kg Sinckler had come on in the third test at Eden Park, with the 15-15 draw earning the British and Irish Lions a share of the series.

Lions would've won with more preparation, says Spencer

The All Blacks and Lions played out a thrilling 15-15 draw in the third Test on Saturday to see their series finish locked at 1-1.

Spencer felt the tourists were capable of becoming just the second Lions team to win a series against the All Blacks, if they had more time in the lead-up.

"My honest opinion is yes," he told a news conference on Sunday.

"I think that preparation is extremely important. Gold medals are won on the training pitch, long before they are won on the rugby pitch."

Lions can 'steamroll' All Blacks

The Lions levelled the series with victory in Wellington last Saturday after the All Blacks had won the first test.

Phillips, who played in five Lions tests across two tours in 2009 and 2013, is confident that Warren Gatland's side can do the business in the deciding test at Eden Park which "isn't an intimidating ground", and become the first Lions team to win a series in New Zealand since 1971.

France were the last winners at Eden Park 23 years ago and the All Blacks have won their last 38 matches at their Auckland fortress.