Do not take the plane if you are not looking to win – Swys

Johannesburg – This was the bold message from Lions coach Bruin Swys as his team left for the New Zealand before Saturday Super Rugby Final against the Crusaders in Christchurch, where chances are stacked against them.

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De Bruin also knows it and history that promotes the local team in the playoffs, and especially the Finals, and knows that no team from outside New Zealand has ever crossed the ocean to win a Super Rugby Finals.

But despite these odds, he is positive, chirpy and eager to have a crack against the highest-ranked team in the competition. The Lions may be heavy underdogs, but they will not fall into oblivion in Saturday's final.

"Yes, you're at a disadvantage, but luckily we've had five or six years with this group, we've beaten guys there in Australia and New Zealand, the Hamilton Chiefs are a good example." said De Bruin.

"We can not leave and get on this plane if we think we're going to have a game." We have to get on this plane to get a job done, it's hard there, but it's not easy. is hard everywhere if you do not want to play – it's also difficult for example at Newlands and Loftus. "

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Statistics will show that Crusaders have a perfect record of 20 playoff games in Christchurch without loss and have been virtually unbeatable on their own turf. Their advanced defense stifles the teams and they have the means to face the opposition and create enough quality ball for the backline.

But all this may seem daunting for their audience, but certainly not for De Bruin and company. "That makes the challenge even bigger and we look forward to it, it changes, we had 21 consecutive wins against South African teams and we lost to the Sharks. never know when we hope it changes when we want it, "De Bruin says.

"But it's a good record and they have to be very proud of it, like us, they have a very good back-up system with their supporters, they are very loquacious and are very close to the field. make a big noise out there and it is very difficult for the officials to stay in the moment and I just hope and I pray that they stay in the moment, so it will be a good match, I'll I am sure of it. "

De Bruin praised the Crusaders and said that the battle would be won or lost in the front, where great successes are expected with a Lions squad as well in form

"The statistics give you an indication.They are the scrum team # 2 or three at the moment and their alignments we are sitting at # 1, and they are # 4, or is During the competition, there were two very good forwards, well trained – Phillip Lemmer did a great job with the peloton and they have two All Blacks in this camp, they have captain All Black at No. 8.

"They have Whitelock and these guys, so they have a very good first line. They have a good squad, so they say that all games are won in advance, so it can happen there. "

While the Crusaders reveled under their conditions, the dew and rain will be less on their hard and fast ground in Johannesburg But De Bruin said the team would adapt and that she should soon adapt to have a chance.

"First of all, the conditions are the same for both teams, they are just a little more used to it. The sooner you adjust in your mind, the better. It's the same for them, the fact that they're used to it will add a benefit, but we're very blessed, we played a few games in the rain with these guys and we had good wins under the rain. So we did not win this final, but I remember rain matches against the Blues, against the Brumbies. The guys are familiar with these circumstances but it will be important that we adapt first. "

The Lions will name their team for the final on Thursday.

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