Lock warns Lions still have claws

Relevant offers

Rugby

Referees tackle sticky breakdown area Mission accomplished: one down Crusaders' field day Food bill hit family Argentina trip to chase third rugby cup win Former sevens star steps up for Longest Day Ticket price hike rejected by Crusaders Crusaders, All Blacks miss Laureus Awards Crotty shaping up to replace SBW Relaxed West Coast vibe contributes to the fun

Everyone expects them to turn the winless Lions into a road pizza, although the Crusaders maintain they are wary of being blinded by five-point fever.

Had any of the travel-weary Lions players been interested in the betting margins ahead of tomorrow night's match they would have found the TAB offering head-to-head odds of $11 to anyone bold enough to back them, while the Crusaders are paying a meagre $1.02.

Not even the benching of All Blacks Dan Carter and resting of Brad Thorn and Kieran Read was enough to convince the bookies the Lions have much of a show at Christchurch's AMI Stadium after they were massacred 72-13 by the Waratahs last weekend.

The Crusaders are not only expected to pulverise the Lions, it seems to be a given they will collect a juicy four-try bonus point and hoover-up five vital competition points.

With Thorn resting his sternum injury, Isaac Ross will be the senior lock until Chris Jack arrives from the bench. Ross admitted the Crusaders will be gunning for the four tries but maintained they would be careful about not allowing their game plan or defence to disintegrate in pursuit of five-pointers.

"We have already talked about how dangerous the Lions can be. The Chiefs put 72 points on them as well but only won by seven points, so they are a team that can attack as well."

There is no doubt Ross is genuine – he said it all with a straight face – but the Crusaders are expected to run through the Lions, who are preparing for their fourth match of their arduous five-week tour, with all the finesse of a herd of cattle trampling over a hedgehog.

When the Chiefs beat the Lions 72-65 in Johannesburg last month, there were fears the new rule interpretations had created a touch rugby festival. Instead, it is now apparent the Lions have massive deficiencies in defence and their helter-skelter attacking style cannot make up the difference.

The Crusaders biggest danger is likely to be within, especially if they switch off after they bound out to an early lead – as the Chiefs discovered when they led the Queensland Reds 15-0 and then lost 23-18 in Hamilton.

"We have had a meeting about that and discussed things that could hinder our performances," Ross said.

"We just prepare like it is another normal week. With the bye coming up we want to have a really good performance so we have earned the week off. And the Lions will be hurting."

- © Fairfax NZ News